I am aware of the matter referred to by the Deputy. The error occurred due to the incorrect application of a reduction to pensions known as the public sector pension reduction (PSPR). As indicated by the Deputy PSPR was introduced under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) legislation. PSPR came into effect on 1 January 2011 and was significantly extended on 1 July 2013. It was removed in July 2021. In general, if an individual was in receipt of more than one public service pension, the two pensions were combined to calculate the PSPR and if the total of the combined pensions was greater than €32,500, the reduction was calculated based on the combined amount of the two pensions. The same legislation also provides for the recovery of overpayments due to the incorrect application of the deduction.
I wish to assure the Deputy that officials in my Pension Unit will treat each case in a sensitive manner with due regard to the circumstances of each pensioner. Pensioners are given a number of options to repay the overpayment and measures are in placed to ensure there is not an undue financial hardship as a result of the repayment plan. Officials in my Pension Unit are available to discuss any concerns a pensioner may have in relation to this matter.
