Departmental Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 February 2024

Thursday, 8 February 2024

Questions (230)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

230. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 828 of 13 June and 829 of 13 June 2023, what if any benefits accrued to Department of Social Protection employees who were former community welfare officers under the HSE and who paid a 5% levy on their incomes from October 2011 to December 2015; if no pension benefit has accrued in respect of these payments, if her Department will sanction the return of these payments to the employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6010/24]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Heather Humphreys)

All issues relating to the pensions of Department of Social Protection employees who were former Community Welfare Officers with the HSE were agreed under The Agreement on the Assimilation of the Pay and Conditions of Former Community Welfare Officer staff dated 30th September 2015.  This agreement followed negotiations between the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform, Department of Social Protection and the Public Service Executive Union (representing CWS staff). 

Members of the pension scheme for former HSE Community Welfare Officers paid the agreed  appropriate contribution rate of 5%.  As members of the pre-2013 pension scheme, paying the appropriate contributions applicable to that scheme, they have accrued the resulting pensionable service  and are entitled to the benefits payable under that scheme.

Question No. 231 answered with Question No. 229.