Vol. 545 No. 2
60 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Finance when members will be appointed to the working party to advise on the implementation of the Final Report of the Commission on Public Service Pensions; when he expects the working party will report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29969/01]
I announced the Government's response to the Final Report of the Commission on Public Service Pensions on 28 September 2001. The Government has decided to accept the thrust of the package of reforms recommended by the commission and directed that the working group to advise on implementation as provided for in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness should be established. The operational details of the implementation of the commission 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 decision.
Parallel structures – subject to the same time frame and remit – are being established in the case of the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. Arrangements are also being made to facilitate pensioner group representation in relation to the commission recommendations on pensions increase policy.
My Department has had discussions with the Public Services Committee of the ICTU regarding the establishment of the working group. Its terms of reference have been agreed and my Department has asked that the plenary meeting of the group be held as soon as possible. I am hopeful that this will occur in December. My Department is also finalising arrangements for involving the pensioners in the working group process. A number of pensioner groups have been invited to send representatives to a preliminary meeting on 11 December next.
As regards when the working group will report, I hope it will do so within the timeframe set by the Government decision.
