Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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124. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which a pension entitlement is calculated for a person who becomes a PRSI worker in the private sector following 35 years of pensionable State service in the Department of Defence, and subsequently An Garda Síochána, and who chooses to retire at 55 years; and if the matter will be clarified in cases in which that person becomes self-employed, following an example provided (details supplied). [47807/22]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Based on the information provided the individual previously served as a member of the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) and subsequently became a member of An Garda Síochána (AGS).  As I understand it, the individual exercised an option to transfer their pensionable service in the PDF pension scheme into the AGS pension scheme. 

Where an individual transfers their service from one public service pension scheme (the 1^stpension scheme) into another public service pension scheme (the 2^ndpension scheme) the following process occurs:

1. The individual forfeits all rights to any benefits payable under the 1^stpension scheme.

2. The pensionable service in respect of the 1^stemployment is combined with the pensionable service in the 2^ndemployment and all benefits are payable in accordance with the rules of the 2^ndpension scheme.

As the individual has chosen to transfer their PDF pensionable service into the AGS pension scheme the individual does not qualify for benefits from the PDF pension scheme and all of their reckonable public service is pensionable in accordance with the rules of the AGS pension scheme. 

The pensions of members of the AGS pension scheme, who are fully insured, are integrated with the Social Welfare system.  This means that, in calculating their pension, account is taken of any social welfare benefits payable.  In circumstances where an individual does not qualify for a Social Welfare benefit, or qualifies at a rate less than the full rate of the State Pension Contributory, a supplementary pension may be payable.  The payment of a supplementary pension is not automatic and is subject to meeting certain criteria e.g. the individual must have reached minimum pension age in accordance with the rules of their scheme and must not be in paid employment.