Pension Provisions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 November 2011

Tuesday, 15 November 2011

Ceisteanna (136)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

149 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the value of the pension payment on an annual basis to the highest paid public sector pensioner in each of the public bodies under his remit and all public service pensioners not paid by the Office of the Paymaster General; the number in receipt of this level of pension and the total number in receipt of a pension in excess of €155,000 and in each bracket below this at intervals of €20,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34663/11]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance (Deputy Michael Noonan)

In response to the Deputy's question, I have outlined below the position in relation to the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) regarding former employees in receipt of pensions not paid by the Office of the Paymaster General. The remuneration structure in the NTMA is such that there are no general pay grades and all staff are on individually-negotiated contracts. These contracts are confidential to the individual concerned.

Ten former employees are in receipt of pension payments from the NTMA. Given the small number of pensions paid by the NTMA, provision of information in the format requested by the Deputy could lead to data protection and confidentiality issues through the identification of specific individuals. Eight persons are in receipt of pensions of less than €155,000 per annum while two are in receipt of pensions of greater than €155,000 per annum.