Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 5

Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

39 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Defence if it is his intention to amend the Army pension scheme in line with the report of the Gleeson Commission in order that military service allowance for those who have retired prior to 1 August 1990 be granted. [13060/03]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The inclusion of military service allowance in the calculation of superannuation benefits for military personnel arose from a recommendation made in 1990 by the Commission on Remuneration and Conditions of Service in the Defence Forces, the Gleeson Commission. The agreed arrangements for the implementation of this recommendation provided, subject to certain conditions, for increases in pensions and gratuities to take account of MSA in the case of personnel retiring on or after 1 August 1990, the day following publication of the commission's report. This approach was consistent with settled public service pensions policy whereby the benefit of an allowance being made pensionable for serving personnel does not extend to existing pensioners.

More recently, the Commission on Public Service Pensions specifically addressed the issue of the pensionability of allowances, including the MSA, and the consequences for public service pensioners generally in its final report which was published in January 2001. The commission was an independent body which had invited submissions from interested parties through an advertisement in the national press in September 1996. The groups representative of military pen sioners were among those who made submissions and were met by the commission.

Having considered the arguments advanced by the groups affected, together with longstanding public service pensions policy in that context and the substantial cost implications involved, the commission did not recommend an increase for the pensioners concerned. No change in existing policy on this matter has been authorised. It is not proposed to amend the Defence Forces pensions schemes along the lines suggested by the Deputy.