Written Answers. - Garda Pensions.
Dan Boyle
Question:
371
Mr. Boyle
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the number of Garda pensioners who retired before 1983 and who do not have rent allowance included in assessing their pension entitlements; and the current cost if such an assessment was included.
[14246/03]
Dan Boyle
Question:
372
Mr. Boyle
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the number of Garda pensioners who retired before 1993 and do not have weekend allowance included in assessing their pension entitlements; and the current cost if such an assessment was included.
[14247/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 371 and 372 together.
The number of retired members of the Garda Síochána from Garda to Chief Superintendent rank who retired before 1 October 1982 and who do not have rent allowance included in their Garda pensions is 159. The current estimated cost of having a rent allowance element included in their pensions would be €227,688 per annum.
The number of members of the Garda Síochána from Garda to Chief Superintendent rank who retired before 1 January 1993 and who do not have weekend-unsocial hours allowance included in their Garda pensions is 1,553. The current estimated cost of having the unsocial hours element included in their pensions would be €5,334,555 per annum.
There are also a number of Garda spouses' pensions in payment to the spouses-children of deceased members who retired prior to the dates in question which would give rise to a further annual exchequer cost.
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 being finalised at present.
The position on 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.
In addition, the extension sought in relation to 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 would 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.
Having regard to the commission's report, I have no plans to introduce amending legislation at this stage.
