Carol Nolan
Question:
341. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if she will confirm that on retirement, all gardaí employed since 1995 will be required to apply for jobseekers' payments for nine months; if she is aware of the concern this issue is causing garda members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49657/23]
View answer
Unfortunately it has not been possible to collate the requested information in the time requested. I will revert to the Deputy when the information is available.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 341 of 14 November 2023 where you sought: “To ask the Minister for Justice if she will confirm that on retirement, all gardaí employed since 1995 will be required to apply for jobseekers' payments for nine months; if she is aware of the concern this issue is causing garda members; and if she will make a statement on the matter.”
I am aware of this issue. Public servants who began employment in a public service body since 1995 normally have a maximum retirement age of 70 under their terms and conditions of employment. For members of An Garda Síochána, the compulsory retirement age is currently 60.
As a result of this compulsory retirement age, retired Garda members are unable to access the full State pension until they are 66. Following retirement, to fill the gap between the age of retirement and 66, Garda members will have to apply for social welfare benefits, such as Jobseeker’s Benefit, in addition to receiving their occupational pension. Jobseeker's Benefit is only available for 9 months; however, retired members then require a letter from Department of Social Protection to avail of the supplementary pension to make up the shortfall until they can receive the full State Pension at age 66.
The Garda associations have raised the matter with me of post-1995 retired Garda members being required to apply for Jobseeker’s Benefit in their local social welfare office before availing of their supplementary pension.
I have also raised this issue with both Minister Donohoe and Minister Humphries.
Officials in my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform are working to resolve this issue with a view to establishing a more efficient and streamlined approach.
