Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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345. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the interdepartmental working group looking at the procedures for qualifying for the payment of an occupational supplementary pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47672/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In July 2024, this Department issued a circular in respect of the Occupational Supplementary Pension (OSP), which streamlined the application process and removed the requirement for public service pensioners to engage with the Department of Social Protection before reaching State Pension Age (currently 66) in order to avail of an OSP. This matter has been resolved and is not under review.

The Deputy should be aware that this matter was addressed under PQRef: 43505/25.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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346. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department is examining the pension abatement issue; if he is considering exceptions for those who are carrying out critical work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47673/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The abatement of public service pensions is provided for in Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 – the "Single Scheme Act", however the principle of abatement is longstanding and dates back to the Superannuation Act, 1834. In the context of public service pensions, abatement is the suspension or reduction in an individual’s public service pension(s) where that individual is re-employed in the public service.

Abatement policy ensures that a retired public servant receives only the amount of pension, that when combined with the remuneration in their new post, does not contribute to them exceeding the pensionable remuneration of their former position. It should be noted that only the pension is abated - the individual is entitled to the full remuneration associated with the new post.

As the Deputy may be aware, there is discretion under Section 52(4) of the Single Scheme Act to grant a waiver of abatement. Circular 24/2022 Explanatory Document, available on www.publicservicepensions.gov.ie/, contains a checklist of what is required for a public service body to submit a business case in order for my Department to consider the granting of a waiver of abatement. These waivers are generally granted only in exceptional circumstances and for a limited period of time. Each waiver application is assessed on its merits.

The Deputy should be aware that this matter was addressed under PQRef: 43506/25.