Vol. 543 No. 4
61 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the implementation of the recommendations of the final report of the Commission on Public Service Pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27285/01]
On 28 September, I announced the Government's response to the final report of the Commission on Public Service Pensions. I stated that the Government had decided to accept the thrust of the package of reforms recommended by the commission and intended to establish a working group to advise on implementation, as provided for in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
The working group to advise on implementation of the commission's report is provided for under the PPF. The operational details of the implementation of the commission's recommendations will be agreed by Government following receipt of a report from the implementation working group, to be made within six months of the Government's decision. My Department is currently in discussion with the Public Services Committee of ICTU about union participation on the working group. I wish to see the working group up and running as soon as possible so that we can move ahead with necessary changes in public service pension arrangements.
Parallel structures, subject to the same timeframe and remit, will be established in the case of the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. Arrangements will also be made to facilitate pensioner group representation in relation to the commission's recommendations on pensions increase policy.
