Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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144. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 356 of 30 September 2025, if additional information can be provided on the circular (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53460/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The calculation of an award of Professional Added Years (PAY) is personal to each individual and the relevant competition under which they are being appointed in accordance with the relevant PAY circular.

Circular 08 of 2005 is the basis for how Professional Added Years awarded to eligible public servants who were appointed as New Entrants (as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004) to a Professional Technical or Specialist post after 01 April 2005.

The calculation of the Gross award is included in paragraph 8 of the Appendix to the Circular. In most instances, the terms of paragraph 8(a) which includes the formula 19 + Q + E -25 are relevant:

"8. Subject to paragraph 9, the gross added years’ entitlement, before appropriate adjustment, will be calculated as follows:

(a) in any case where the required minimum qualifications and/or experience would have precluded appointment by age 25, the aggregate of 19+ Q + E - 25, where

Q = the minimum number of years in which the required qualifications can be obtained; and

E = the minimum number of years essential experience required.

Where specific experience was required but not quantified in the competition, a figure of 5 years will be taken as the experience requirement for the competition.

Experience normally gained during a period of qualification may not give rise to double counting of periods under Q and E. For example, a period of training which includes practical experience may not be counted twice for the purpose of this calculation."

Calculated in line with the terms of paragraph 8, an eligible public servant who was appointed to a Professional, technical or Specialist post via a competition which listed as an essential requirement (I) a particular degree which takes 4 years to complete, and (II) 5 years’ post qualification experience in that field, could be entitled to an award calculated as follows:

19 + Q (4) + E (5) – 25 = 3 Professional Added Years.

This gross award would then be abated in line with the subsequent paragraphs of the Circular.

In respect of transferable and prior service, abatement of the award on a year for year basis is provided for in paragraph 10 (i). Where the individual has non transferable relevant experience, this may be used to offset this abatement. How this applies, is also provided for in this paragraph:

"10. The gross added years’ entitlement (after applying the limit at paragraph 9 if necessary) will be reduced as indicated in the following circumstances: -

(i) Previous service with the body, transferred/transferable service:

where the employee concerned has

(a) pensionable service with the body before his or her appointment to the professional added years post, and/or

(b) transferred or could transfer service into the body’s pension scheme from another public sector body,

the added years award will be abated on a “year-for-year” basis by that service.

If, however, the employee’s relevant experience for the purpose of appointment to an added years post also includes non-transferable relevant experience in other employment, the abatement in respect of service at (a) and/or (b) above will be the minimum amount of relevant experience required by the competition less the amount of non-transferable relevant experience. If the non-transferable relevant experience is equal to or greater than the minimum amount of relevant experience required by the competition then no abatement will apply.

Where there are retained benefits (see (ii) following) in respect of the non-transferable service abatement will, of course, apply by reference to the value of those benefits."

In respect of retained benefits, typically pension benefits deriving from occupational pension arrangements prior to joining the public service, these are abated in line with paragraph 10 (ii). The Department's Actuarial Unit calculates the value of these benefits and the number of notional years of service which could be purchased in accordance with the purchase of notional service tables contained in Circular 4 of 2006.

Where there has been a refund of contributions, paragraph 10 (ii) also provides how these refunds are factored into an abatement calculation.

"(ii) Retained benefits:

where the employee has a retained superannuation benefit (e.g. a pension and/or lump sum entitlement, or has received a refund of superannuation contributions) from any previous employment, the added years award will be abated by the value of the retained benefit, as determined by the appropriate authority. Abatement will not apply in respect of a refund of contributions paid to the employee where the employee could not opt for preserved superannuation benefits or a transfer of service in lieu of a refund at the time of resignation, and where the amount of the refund was, if paid before 1 June 1973, less than €762, or, if paid on or after 1 June 1973, less than €762 as increased by reference to CPI increases between that date and the date of the refund."

The calculation basis for abatement in respect of career breaks, resignation/ retirement before 60, ill-health retirement limits and refunds of excess purchase notional service is contained in paragraphs 12, 13, 15 and 16 respectively.