Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 June 2022
226. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has plans to review current pension abatement arrangements for public service staff who complete their employment in one area of the public sector and subsequently take-up employment in another area of the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31712/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the principle of abatement of a public service pension is long-standing within the rules of various public service pension schemes. Prior to the Public Service Pension (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012), pension abatement applied only where an individual was re-employed in the same sector. The Single Scheme Act extended abatement such that an individual in receipt of a public service pension is subject to abatement where they are re-employed in any part of the public service.
The Act provides for the abatement of a public service pension where a retired public servant, whose pension is in payment, is re-employed in the public service such that no more of the pension when combined with the remuneration in the new position shall exceed the pensionable remuneration of the old position. It should be noted that it is the pension which is abated and not the salary in the new position.
I am satisfied that the measures taken in the 2012 Act were progressive and necessary. The extension of abatement across the public service was appropriate as a modernising pension reform. While the high level operation of abatement is monitored on an ongoing basis, there are no current plans to review pension abatement policy. Abatement policy remains a key component of Public Service pension policy and represents a suitable and measured response to legitimate public concerns about simultaneous payment of a pension and salary in the public service.
