As the Deputy will be aware, public service pensions are funded on a pay-as-you-go basis by the public purse which already funds a wide range of employment initiatives.
Public service pensions have been reduced by the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) which was introduced in January 2011 under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2010. In July 2013, the rates of PSPR for some pensioners were increased and PSPR was extended to certain pensions not previously impacted.
The effect of the PSPR and of these changes in 2013 has been to leave more funds available for other public expenditure including employment support measures.