Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 3

Written Answers. - Pension Schemes.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

274 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will extend the unsocial hours pension concession to members of the Garda who retired before 1 January 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8744/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

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.

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 Government 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.