David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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249. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has ensured, or will ensure, that a person (details supplied) will receive appropriate pension payment increase entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10160/23]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, I have overall policy responsibility in relation to public service occupational pension schemes.

However, operational matters regarding an individual's pension are initially a matter for the Minister of the parent Department for the body concerned, in this case the Minister for Justice. As a matter of course, this Department does not hold detailed information on individual public service pensioners.

To provide clarity in relation to the most recent pay deals and the pension increases applicable, please note that members of public service pension schemes other than the Single Pension Scheme 2013 are entitled to have pay increases applied to their pension where the pensionable rate of remuneration is less than or equal to the current salary scale of the grade.

The pay increases for 2022, and the first scheduled increase of 2023, are as follows:

- From the 2nd of February 2022, a 3% increase.

- From the 1st of October 2022, a 1% increase or €500, whichever is greater when applied to the payscale.

- From the 1st of February 2022, the equivalent of a 1% increase was provided via a sectoral bargaining fund. The use of this fund varies across sectors and may not always result in an increase for current or retired staff.

- From the 1st of March 2023, a 2% increase.

These increases may be fully or partially applicable based on the progress of FEMPI restoration for the relevant individual. The applicability of each increase should be checked by the pension administrator, who will confirm which increases should apply.

If a public service body are experiencing difficulty in applying the relevant circulars, or calculating the pension increases that apply, then this Department remains available to provide advice as needed.