Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
508. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to develop a remuneration compensation scheme for post-2013 entrants to An Garda Síochána that will bridge the gap between their work pension and social protection-issued pension; and if he will provide an update on his work and that of his officials on policy formulation in respect of public sector pensions for the decades ahead. [41538/22]
View answerAll public service pensions are subject to ongoing monitoring by my Department. The Single Scheme is the default public service pension scheme for all new entrant public servants for the decades to come and there are no plans to review its terms.
The Single Scheme is a statutory Public Service Career-Average Defined Benefit Pension Scheme, established on 1 January 2013 under the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012. The entitlements of the Single Scheme are clearly set out in law, as approved by the Oireachtas, as enacted on 28 July 2012. The Single Scheme was established to place publicly-funded retirement benefits on a more sustainable footing in the context of longer life expectancies. All new entrant members of An Garda Síochána hired after 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Scheme.
Gardaí are members of the ‘Uniformed Accrual’ Scheme cohort, where benefits build up at higher accrual rates and they are eligible for retirement benefits earlier than standard accrual members. Uniformed Accrual members also pay employee contributions at higher rates than Standard Accrual members. Terms governing Single Scheme Uniformed Accrual member groups are specified in Section 26 of the 2012 Act.
Members of An Garda Síochána who retire at the minimum Normal Retirement Age receive their retirement lump-sum and a pension payment immediately on retirement. New entrant Gardaí recruited since 1 April 2004, including Single Scheme members, have a Compulsory Retirement Age of 55, which can be extended to 60, subject to the Commissioner being satisfied of their ability to continue carrying out duties.
In the period between a Garda’s retirement and the State pension age (currently 66), they receive benefits under the Single Scheme. These benefits are separate, and in addition, to any future entitlement that they may have to the State Pension (Contributory) administered by the Department of Social Protection. Whilst gardaí and other Uniformed Accrual members do have compulsory retirement ages lower than the State Pension (Contributory) retirement age, they are still able to work in other employment in the intervening period, whilst fully accessing their Single Scheme pension benefits (subject to abatement, where applicable).
Government Policy is to facilitate longer active working lives, with the social welfare system continuing to provide a safety net for those who, for health or other reasons, are not in a position to work longer. Single Scheme pension benefits are integrated with the State Pension (Contributory) as members pay Class A PRSI.
There are no plans to develop a remuneration compensation scheme for members of An Garda Síochána, nor for any other cohort.
For members of An Garda Síochána recruited to pensionable posts prior to 1 January 2013, membership of a uniformed or “fast” accrual Final Salary Defined Benefit scheme applies. Under the terms of these schemes, a member’s normal retirement benefits are calculated on the basis of reckonable pensionable service and final annual pensionable remuneration. Pension benefits for members of An Garda Síochána recruited on or after the 6th of April 1995 are integrated with the State Pension (Contributory). Pension benefits for members of An Garda Síochána recruited before the 6th of April 1995 are not integrated with the State Pension (Contributory).
