Vol. 566 No. 2
183 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether an ex-gratia payment should be made on foot of the submission on pension loss for retired gardaí submitted recently by their association, as their claim has long been recognised as valid. [12440/03]
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 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 at this stage nor do I intend making ex-gratia payments to the Garda pensioners concerned.
