Public Sector Pensions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2023

Thursday, 14 December 2023

Questions (243)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

243. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 208 of 20 September 2023, whether there has been progress in relation to streamlining the process of the payment of public service occupational pension schemes payable to retired public servants, particularly where post '95 members of An Garda Síochána retiring must first exhaust all entitlement under social welfare, and are required to sign a declaration to the Department of Social Protection saying they are available for work, despite this not being the case given that the members are retired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56063/23]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

As the Deputy may be aware, I have overall policy responsibility in relation to public service occupational pension schemes payable to retired public servants.

As advised on 20 September 2023, my Department is aware that there are some issues concerning the procedures for qualifying for the payment of an Occupational Supplementary Pension and we are liaising with the Department of Social Protection and other key stakeholders to review the processes involved and establish if a more efficient and streamlined approach is possible.

My Department understands that this is a live issue and appreciate the concerns raised by members of An Garda Síochána and their representative bodies and the matter is under active consideration.