Public Sector Pensions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2017

Tuesday, 10 October 2017

Ceisteanna (43)

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

43. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if calculations have been carried out on the tax forgone by not taxing accruing public sector pensions; the reason for not including such estimates in a future tax expenditure review in view of the fact that both public and private sector beneficiaries avail of tax relief in order to have a more accurate picture of the cost of pension provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43003/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

With some minor exceptions, public sector pensions are paid from current expenditure and specific funds are not maintained. There is no capacity therefore to tax or to derive estimates of notional taxation foregone. The practice of calculating tax forgone on private pension fund accumulation relates to the fact that there are a several such funds.