Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 April 2025
336. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department has engaged with representatives of the Defence Forces since January 2024 on the issues with the fast accrual (uniformed) single public service pension scheme for uniformed services recruited after 2013; the dates of those engagements; if his Department has taken any action as a result of these engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18636/25]
View answerThe Defence (Amendment) Act 1990 and Defence Force Regulations S6 provided for the establishment of Representative Associations for members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF). The associations that have since been established are RACO (for commissioned officers) and PDFORRA (for enlisted personnel).
Successive Ministers for Defence engage, on an ongoing basis, with the PDF Representative Associations.
Since taking up the role as Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, in January 2025, I met with the PDF Representative Associations on the 10 February 2025.
This meeting afforded me the opportunity to engage with RACO and PDFORRA on a range of issues most pertinent for their respective members. The issue of the fast accrual (uniformed) single public service pension, scheme for uniformed services recruited after 2013, was, I can confirm, mentioned at this meeting on 10 February last.
As the Deputy is aware, all superannuation benefits and entitlements, under the Defence Forces Superannuation Schemes are governed by the relevant rules, terms and conditions made pursuant to the Defence Forces Pensions Acts 1932 to 2004 and the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 and other relevant provisions, agreements, arrangements, circulars and/or other instruments, which together comprise the schemes. These schemes are also subject to any other relevant legislation and to public service pensions policy.
While the administration and management of Defence Forces superannuation arrangements, including the calculation and award of benefits to members and their dependents, is carried out by the Department of Defence, it is important to note that any amendments or changes to any pension scheme comes under the auspices of my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and his Department.
