Michael Ring
Question:64 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Defence if his Department will give early and positive consideration to the question of making the military service allowance fully reckonable for superannuation purposes. [20511/99]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Retirement Scheme.
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:129 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if his Department will give early and positive consideration to the question of making the military service allowance fully reckonable for superannuation purposes. [20514/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 129 together.
I presume the questions refer to the issue of having military service allowance, MSA, included in the calculation of pensions of Defence Forces personnel who retired before 1 August, 1990. I refer the Deputies to my reply to Questions Nos. 244 and 252 on 29 September 1999. As I indicated then, the position of pre-August, 1990 Defence Forces' pensioners will be further considered in the light of the final report of the Commission on Public Service Pensions and of any relevant Government decisions thereon. The Commission is scheduled to make its final report to Government in the near future.