Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 July 2016
64. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will extend full and equal pension rights to public sector workers who identify as LGBTI and allow them to upgrade their pensions to spouse and children pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19753/16]
View answerMy role as Minister in the field of pensions relates to issues affecting the civil and public service. The civil service operates Contributory Pension Schemes which provide benefits to spouses and/or children of deceased scheme members. In summary, when a member dies after retirement, a spouse's pension of up to one-half of the former member's pension is payable. Dependent children are also entitled to a child's pension.
Same sex married couples are afforded the same benefits under the Civil Service Schemes and the Single Public Service Pension Scheme as married couples of the opposite sex. The Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 extended the benefits provided to spouses under pension schemes to civil partners and the Marriage Act 2015 gives effect to the referendum on marriage equality.
