Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 April 2014
112. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a public servant who has reached the age of 50 years is eligible to retire on a full pension even though he or she a few months short of a full 30 years service; if it is possible for the public servant to purchase the outstanding service incentivised retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15455/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraCertain areas of the public service have pension arrangements which feature early paid pensions based on fast accrual of benefits, such as An Garda Síochána, the Permanent Defence Force and the Prison Service.
I understand that some cohorts of staff in these fast accrual sectors may qualify for retirement on full pension at age 50 years, provided that they have 30 years' service.
Responsibility for the particular rules of individual public service pension schemes rests with the relevant public service employer or other sector-specific authority, rather than with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Accordingly specific queries on aspects of the pension scheme applicable, including on minimum pension age and purchase of service, should be addressed to the employer or authority in question.
