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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Feb 2001

Vol. 530 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Pensions Scheme.

Richard Bruton

Question:

42 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason former members of the Garda Síochána who retired prior to 1 January 1993 are in receipt of pensions which do not include unsocial hours allowances received by them; the number of former gardaí so affected; and the action he proposes to take to address this issue. [3236/01]

Seamus Healy

Question:

49 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will provide for parity of pensions for members of the Garda Síochána who retired prior to 1 January 1993 and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3081/01]

Alan Shatter

Question:

142 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason former members of the Garda Síochána who retired prior to 1 January 1993 are in receipt of pensions which do not include unsocial hours allowances received by them; the number of former gardaí so affected; and the action he proposes to take to address this issue. [3297/01]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 49 and 142 together.

Following prolonged discussions at the Garda Conciliation Council, agreement was reached in March 1994, which provided, inter alia, for the pensionability of unsocial hours allowances for members of the Force who retired after 1 January 1993. The agreement was reached under the terms of the local bargaining clause – Clause 3 – of the agreement on pay and conditions which formed part of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress. The agreement does not allow for retrospection. There are 1,050 gardaí affected by this agreement.

The report of the Commission on Public Service Pensions was published on 31 January 2001. The Government intends to make formal decisions on the commission's recommendations once it has had an opportunity to consider the report in detail. The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness provides that a working group of the public service unions, relevant Departments and other appropriate bodies is to be established following Government consideration of the report of the commission to advise on the implementation of the relevant Government decisions with a view to introducing, as quickly as possible, any proposed changes in service pension arrangements, including those for low paid workers. The Government will move to establish that working group when it has made its decisions on the commission's recommendations.
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