Vol. 519 No. 5
299 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will include allowances in the pension payments to gardaí who retired prior to 1 January 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14353/00]
It would appear the Deputy is referring to the Government decision that public servants who retired before the commencement dates of restructuring pay agreements under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, PESP, and the Programme for Competitiveness and Work, PCW, should benefit from these deals on a parity basis subject to a minimum of 3% in their pensions. The minimum adjustment of 3% was calculated as if pay scales had increased by that percentage with effect from 1 September 1995. This percentage increase has now been applied to pensioners formerly of garda, sergeant and inspector rank who retired before 1 January 1993. In respect of those public servants who had received an advance payment of 1% of basic pay under a specific provision of the PCW programme, a minimum adjustment of 2% in pensions was made and was calculated as if the pay scales in question had increased by that percentage with effect from 1 May 1995.
It is stated in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness that following Government consideration of the Report of the Commission on Public Service Pensions, which is expected in mid-2000, a working group of the public service unions, relevant Departments and other appropriate parties will be established to advise on the implementation of the relevant Government decisions with a view to introducing, as quickly as possible, any proposed changes in public service pensions arrangements.
