Trevor Sargent
Question:192 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Finance his plans to ensure inspectors with the Health and Safety Authority have a Civil Service pension. [5591/02]
Written Answers. - Pension Scheme.
On the basis of details supplied, the Deputy's concerns relate to the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health spouses' and children's contributory pension scheme, purchase scheme and scheme for professional added years. I understand the spouses' and children's scheme is being finalised at present. The final version will be submitted, firstly, to my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and then myself for signing off. My Department has no objection to members of the staff of the authority who were recruited by the authority in a professional, technical or specialist capacity being considered for an award of added notional years of pensionable service on the basis of the scheme for the award of such "professional added years" by State-sponsored bodies.
Members of the staff of the authority who were formerly civil servants who were entitled to be considered for an award of added notional years of service for superannuation purposes under section 6(3) or 6(4) of the Superannuation and Pensions Act, 1963, and who are designated by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in accordance with section 20 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, may also be considered for an award of added notional years of pensionable service on the basis of the scheme for the award of "professional added years" by State-sponsored bodies. It should be noted that section 21 of the Act provides that such designated persons shall not be granted superannuation benefits on terms and conditions which are less favourable than the terms and conditions which applied to them in relation to such benefits immediately before being transferred to the Authority.
In relation to purchase of service for superannuation purposes, my Department indicated to the authority in May 2000 that it had no objection to draft arrangements for the purchase of such additional notional years of service by members of its staff which were submitted by the authority. Contributions in respect of purchased service are normally deductible for tax purposes in accordance with the rules for the tax treatment of pension contributions laid down by the Revenue Commissioners.