Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 February 2022
94. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason that retired civil servants with qualifying pensions have not yet received the 1% pay increase granted in October 2021 which current civil servants have already received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8536/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a general round increase in annualised basic salary of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, is provided for on 1 October 2021 in Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement, 2021-2022.
Under the current pension increase policy for pre-existing public service pension schemes, this increase falls to be passed on to those pensions awarded under the pre-existing public service schemes where the salary on which the pension is based does not exceed the salary of serving staff with the same grade and scale point, after the pay increase has been applied. If it qualifies, the pension is eligible for an increase to the extent that this will ensure alignment with the pay of serving staff.
This policy is outlined in detail in my Department’s Circular 10/2021, which is available here: www.gov.ie/en/circular/e3bc7-instruction-on-the-pension-increase-policy-in-the-public-service-until-end-2022/
My officials have checked the position regarding the payment of pension increases related to the 1 October pay increase with the National Shared Services Office (NSSO), which is responsible for the administration of civil service pensions. The NSSO have confirmed that the vast majority of civil service pensions which were eligible for this pension increase have had that increase applied.
In a limited number of cases, it is necessary for the NSSO to manually establish eligibility for a pension increase and calculate the increase due. These cases are currently being reviewed, and where an increase is due, this will be paid, including arrears, as soon as possible.
