Written Answers - Garda Pensions.
Pádraic McCormack
Question:
256
Mr. McCormack
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
if the outstanding issues of pensionability of allowances arising from the Rent Allowance Act 1982 and unsocial hours allowances in 1993 have been resolved as relevant to the retired members of the Garda Síochána.
[8704/03]
John Deasy
Question:
260
Mr. Deasy
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
his plans to award pension parity to retired members of the Garda Síochána who lost out on this increase in their pensions as a result of the 1982 arbitration award and a further award granted as a result of the 1994 conciliation council agreement; the number of retired members affected by this; the annual cost to the Exchequer if such an award was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8719/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 260 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the Government decided in September 2001 to accept the thrust of the package of reforms recommended by the Commission on Public Service Pensions and to establish a working group to advise on implementation as provided for in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. Parallel structures with the same remit were established in the case of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. 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. The report is in the process of being finalised at present.
The position in relation to the issue of parity of pensions for members of An Garda Síochána who retired prior to 1993, who do not receive the unsocial hours element in their pensions, and those who retired prior to 1982, who do not receive the rent allowance element in their pensions, is that the commission examined the specific issue of the pensionability of allowances for members of An Garda Síochána and others as part of its deliberations, but, having assessed the arguments involved, did not recommend any increase in pension for the groups involved. Having regard to the commission's report, I have no plans to introduce amending legislation at this stage.
The number of retired members of the Garda Síochána from garda to chief superintendent rank who retired prior to 1 October 1982, the effective date of the pensionability of rent allowance, and who are in receipt of Garda pensions is 164. The number of retired members of the Garda Síochána from garda to chief superintendent rank who retired prior to 1 January 1993, the effective date of the pensionability of unsocial hours allowances, and who are in receipt of Garda pensions is 1,564. The current additional annual cost to the Exchequer based on these figures would be €236,160 and €5,395,800, respectively. There are also a number of Garda spouses pensions in payment to the spouses or children of deceased members who retired prior to the dates in question which would give rise to a further annual Exchequer cost.
In addition, the extension sought in relation to the Garda allowances could not be confined to retired members of the Garda Síochána. There could be considerable additional costs with regard to allowances in other areas of the public sector, notably the Defence Forces, teachers and prison officers. A concession in these areas could impose a significant cost on the State – in excess of €12 million a year and an accrued liability of about €152 million, based on 1997 costs for Garda and Defence Forces pensioners outlined in the final report of the Commission on Public Service Pensions.
