Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 July 2016
43. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will reverse the two-tier pay and pension structures for new entrants to the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19802/16]
View answerFor the majority of public servants the issue of addressing the difference in incremental salary scales between those public servants who entered public service employment since 2011 and those who entered before that date was addressed with the relevant union interests under the provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA). Any further consideration of remuneration adjustment for any group of public servants, including issues relating to more recently recruited public servants, will fall to be examined within the provisions of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 -2018 (Lansdowne Road Agreement). It will also of course have to comply with the terms of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 - 2015 (FEMPI), as well as its affordability being underpinned through delivering enhanced work place practices and productivity.
New entrants, including members of the Oireachtas, to all sectors of public service employment from 1 January 2013 onward are members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. This is a defined benefit scheme which operates under rules set out in the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 with pension accrual based on career-average pay, not final salary, and a higher pension qualifying age in line with reforms in broader pension policy. I am satisfied that the Single Scheme provides fair and reasonable pension terms to its members and ensures that they will have adequate pension provision for the period after their employment.
