On 28 September 2001, I announced the Government's decision to accept the thrust of the package of reforms recommended by the Commission on Public Service Pensions and to establish the working group to advise on implementation, as provided for in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. The Government has also decided that the operational details of the implementation of the commission's recommendations will be agreed by Government following receipt of a report from the implementation working group, which is to be made within six months of the Government decision.
The PPF provides that the implementation working group comprises the public service unions, relevant Government Departments and other appropriate bodies. My Department has had discussions with the Public Services Committee of the ICTU regarding the establishment of the working group. Its terms of reference have been agreed and my Department has asked that the plenary meeting of the group be held in the very near future.
Parallel structures – subject to the same time frame and remit – are being established in the case of the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. My Department is also finalising arrangements for the involvement of pensioners in the working group process and a preliminary meeting is being held today in this connection with pensioner group representatives.
The commission's recommendations have not been implemented to date. As I indicated, the Government decision is to agree the operational details following receipt of the implementation working group's report which is due within the time frame set by the Government decision.
