Ben Briscoe
Question:55 Mr. Briscoe asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to review the Garda pension scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2143/97]
Written Answers. - Garda Pension Scheme.
Gerard C. Connolly
Question:82 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if she intends to change the rules governing Garda pensions and allowances to ensure that gardaí who retired prior to January 1993 will receive the same level of pensions and allowances as those who retired subsequent to that date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2156/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 82 together.
In 1994 a decision was reached to make unsocial hours allowances pensionable. This was done as part of a restructuring agreement reached under the local bargaining clause of the PESP, and was in return for agreement by Garda associations to contribute to flexibility and change within the Force. The agreement was subject to an overall limit on cost of 3 per cent of basic pay. It did not provide for the extension of pensionability of unsocial hours to Garda pensioners who retired before 1 January 1993.
In relation to the 1994 restructuring agreement, I should say that restructuring deals have still to be finalised in respect of several other major public service groups and that consideration is currently being given to the implications for existing pensioners of the existing and pending restructuring deals across the public sector, and in relation to pensions increase policy generally.
Concerning the Garda pensions scheme generally, the Deputy will be aware that in February 1996 my colleague, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Quinn, established the Commission on Public Service Pensions to examine and report on the pension terms of public servants, including members of the Garda Síochána. The Commission has been asked to report to Government in 1998.