Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2004
61 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the position in regard to Army pensions payable to those who qualified pre-1994, with particular reference to the inclusion of service pay in the determination of pension entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9508/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI presume the Deputy is referring to the question of having military service allowance, MSA, included in the calculation of pensions of Defence Forces' personnel who retired before 1 August 1990. Arising from a recommendation made in 1990 by the Commission on Remuneration and Conditions of Service in the Defence Forces — the Gleeson commission — MSA was made pensionable in the case of personnel retiring on or after 1 August 1990. This approach was fully consistent with settled public service pensions policy which provides that the benefit of an allowance being made pensionable for serving personnel does not extend to existing pensioners.
More recently, the Commission on Public Service Pensions specifically addressed the issue of the pensionability of allowances — including MSA — and the consequences for public service pensioners generally in its final report which was published in January 2001. However, having considered the arguments advanced by the groups affected, together with long-standing public service pensions policy in that context and the substantial cost implications involved, the Commission did not recommend any increase for the pensioners concerned. No change in existing policy on this matter has been authorised or is contemplated.
