Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 1

Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.

Michael Noonan

Question:

615 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí by rank in receipt of pension who retired prior to 1 October 1982; the number of gardaí by rank in receipt of pension who retired prior to 1 January 1993; the number of gardaí by rank who have retired since 1 January 1993 to date; the number of Garda widows in receipt of pension; if he has plans to equalise pension benefit for guards who retired on different dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11522/03]

Paul McGrath

Question:

663 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review the situation of a small number of retired gardaí who left the force prior to 1982 and have reduced pensions due to the fact that the pensionability of rent allowance was not made retrospective at 1 October 1982. [12093/03]

Paul McGrath

Question:

664 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review the situation of a number of retired gardaí who left the force between 1982 and 1993 and are receiving reduced pension payments vis-à-vis their colleagues who retired from 1994 onwards. [12094/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The number of gardaí by rank in receipt of Garda pensions who retired (i) prior to 1 October 1982, (ii) prior to 1 January 1993, (iii) since 1 January 1993 to date, and the number of Garda widows in receipt of pensions are shown in the following tabular form.

	Pre 1/10/'82	Pre 1/1/'93	Post 31/12/'92
Chief Supts	6	46	45
Superintendents	6	108	138
Inspectors	5	72	133
Sergeants	66	577	884
Gardaí	78	753	2,134
Total	161	1,556	3,334

The total number of spouses in receipt of Garda pensions is 1,378 which includes two widowers. The numbers which are based on the May 2003 issue of Garda pensions, exclude pensioners and spouses of those in commissioner ranks. As the Deputies are 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 the 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 the Garda Síochána who retired prior to 1 January 1993 who do not receive the unsocial hours element in their pensions and those who retired prior to 1 October 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 the 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.