Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 May 2013
124. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of the planned cuts to public service pensions in excess of €32,500 per annum; if there will be a pro rata reduction of the pensions paid to surviving spouses; if the pension reductions will be also refunded in a number of years time under the proposed new pay agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24559/13]
View answerFollowing the decision last month by the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to reject the Labour Relations Commission proposals for a Public Service Agreement 2013–2016, the Commission, at the request of Government, made contact with the parties to establish whether a basis could be found for a negotiated public service agreement to meet budgetary targets.
Considerable progress has been reported at the resultant talks conducted under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission. In this context, the Government earlier this week approved the text and publication of legislation to give effect to specific public service pay and pension savings measures. These measures include a pay reduction for public servants earning over €65,000, a parallel reduction in public service pensions and other contingent measures to enable the Government achieve its savings requirements.
Pending publication of the relevant Bill tomorrow, it would not be appropriate for me at this stage to set out detailed specifics in respect of individual constituent measures which may be adopted.
