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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Dec 2002

Vol. 559 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Pay.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

386 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that gardaí who retired prior to 1993 have their pensions calculated on a different basis from those who retired after that date; his views on whether this represents unjustifiable discrimination between gardaí who gave loyal service over many years; and if he will introduce an amendment to the scheme to ensure equality of treatment. [25509/02]

As the Deputy is aware, the Government decided in September 2001 to accept the thrust of the package of reforms recommended by the Commission on Public Service Pensions and to establish a working group to advise on implementation as provided for in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. Parallel structures with the same remit have been established in the case of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. The operational details of the implementation of the Commission recommendations will be agreed by Government following receipt of a report from the implementation working group. The position in relation to the issue of parity of pensions for members of An Garda Síochána who retired prior to 1993 is that the Commission examined the specific issue of the pensionability of allowances for members of An Garda Síochána and others, as part of its deliberations, but, having assessed the arguments involved, did not recommend any increase in pension for the groups involved. Having regard to the Commission's report, I have no plans to introduce amending legislation at this stage.

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