Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
527. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform who is responsible in paying the pensions of gardaí who joined An Garda Síochána on or after 6 April 1995; how it will be paid; how it is calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38003/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, I have overall policy responsibility in relation to public service occupational pension schemes payable to retired public servants.
For all new entrants to the public service (including members of An Garda Síochána) on or after 6 April 1995 (the date of introduction of full social insurance for public servants who now pay Class A PRSI) and before 1 January 2013 (the date of introduction of the Single Public Service Pensions Scheme) pension payment comprises of three components:
A Public Service Occupational Pension payable by the public service employer, in the case of An Garda Síochána this is paid by Garda Pensions;
Social Insurance Benefit(s) payable, subject to eligibility, by the Department of Social Protection (DSP); and
Where the full rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC) is not payable by DSP, a supplementary pension equivalent to a pension that is not integrated with the Social Insurance system which is payable, subject to eligibility, by the public service employer.
The Public Service Occupational Pension referenced above is calculated as follows;
Gross Pensionable Remuneration (GPR) up to 3.333333 times the SPC (currently €46,144.51) divided by 200 multiplied by Years of Service (S) –
GPR up to €46,144.51/200 x S
PLUS
Gross Pensionable Remuneration in excess of 3.333333 times the SPC (currently €46,144.51) divided by 80 multiplied by Years of Service –
GPR > €46,144.51/80 x S
Where a public servant does not qualify for the SPC or qualifies for a Social Insurance benefit at less than the value of the SPC they may be entitled to a supplementary pension, subject to eligibility criteria, including:
• The retired public servant is not in paid employment;
• The retired public servant, due to no fault of their own, fails to qualify for Social Insurance benefit(s) or qualifies for a benefit at less that the value of the SPC; and
• The retired public servant must have reached minimum pension age or retired on grounds of ill-health.
The second condition is important to ensure no duplication of payments from public funds. To verify this condition, prior to payment of the Occupational Supplementary Pension, a retired public servant must engage with the DSP and obtain proof that they have exhausted any relevant benefits for which they may be eligible under the social insurance system.
My Department is aware that there are some issues concerning the procedures for qualifying for the payment of an Occupational Supplementary Pension and we are liaising with the Department of Social Protection and other key stakeholders to review the processes involved and establish if a more efficient and streamlined approach is possible.
