Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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382. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the exact reason for the delay in resolving the issue regarding post-1995 retired Garda members having to apply for jobseeker’s benefit to access their pension entitlements, given it is affecting a large number of Garda members at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56834/23]

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 payable to retired public servants.

Under the current rules pertaining to supplementary pensions, individuals are required to engage with the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to exhaust their Social Insurance entitlements in order to qualify for the payment of an occupational supplementary pension. The rules surrounding qualifying for a Social Insurance benefit are a matter for the DSP.

My Department is aware that there are some issues concerning the procedures for qualifying for the payment of an occupational supplementary Pension and we are liaising with the DSP and other key stakeholders to review the processes involved and establish if a more efficient and streamlined approach is possible. This is a complex matter which is under active consideration.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, I have overarching responsibility for public service pension policy, including in relation to pension increases in the public service.

As the Deputy may be aware, a frequently used method of post-retirement pension adjustment for retirees public service pension schemes is known as ‘pay parity’. This method of pension adjustment was agreed by Government in 2017 to be used in relation to pre-existing (pre-2013) public service pension schemes. This was in the context of the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) 2018-2020, and was extended under the successor pay agreement, Building Momentum 2021-2023, which expired at the end of 2023.

Pensions in payment under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme do not use this method, and are adjusted in line with increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), as provided for under section 40 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.

Under the policy of pay parity, general round pay increases are passed on to pensions awarded under pre-existing public service schemes (pre-2013 pension schemes). Where applicable, salary increases awarded to serving public servants will be passed through to the pensions of those persons who have retired on an equivalent grade and pay scale point.

Negotiations are currently ongoing in relation to the successor to the Building Momentum agreement. These public service pay talks are attended by Trade Unions and Staff Representative Associations, who represent current public service employees.

While I have overall responsibility for pension increase policy, responsibility for implementing pension increases, where they fall due, rests with individual public service bodies and their associated pension administrator.