Vol. 530 No. 6
62 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance the Government's response to the final report of the Commission on Public Service Pensions; if the Government accepts the recommendations made in the report; when the working group to examine the report, promised in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4659/01]
The report of the Commission on Public Service Pensions was published by me on 31 January 2001. As indicated at the time of publication, 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 public service pension arrangements, including those for low paid workers. As indicated at the time of publication, the Government will move to establish that working group when it has made its decisions on the commission's recommendations.
