Mary Upton
Question:150 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 392 of 9 October 2002, the position regarding the matter. [11001/03]
Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.
In my response to Parliamentary Question No. 392 of 9 October 2002, I explained that the Commission on Public Service Pensions had recommended a provision to allow payment of a pension to a financially dependent partner in certain circumstances and that two members of the commission had entered a reservation in this matter to the effect that such a provision would move ahead of the law generally on family units based on marriage. I also explained that the Government had accepted the thrust of the package of reforms recommended by the commission and had established a working group, as provided for in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, to advise on implementation. The operational details of the implementation of the commission recommendations are to be agreed by Government following receipt of a report from this group. The report of the group is currently being drawn up and it is expected that it will be put before Government by the middle of the year. Pending receipt of this report, I am not in a position to give a more definitive response to the Deputy at this time.