Pension Levy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2011

Tuesday, 11 October 2011

Questions (45)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

62 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will amend the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 to eliminate the situation in which privately employed workers, many of them extremely low paid, have had the public sector pension levy imposed on them when they do not receive a public sector pension or any of the entitlements of public sector workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27910/11]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brendan Howlin)

Only public servants pay the public service pension-related deduction. This is clearly provided for at section 2(1)(a) of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. Section 2 of the Act further requires that a public servant must meet a pensionability condition in order to be made subject to the pension-related deduction. This condition requires that the public servant is a member of a public service pension scheme, is entitled to a benefit under such a scheme or receives a payment in lieu of membership in such a scheme. An annual exemption threshold of €15,000 applies in relation to the pension-related deduction.

Question No. 63 answered with Question No. 61.

Question No. 64 answered with Question No. 52.