Public Sector Pay

Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Questions (413, 414, 415, 416, 417)

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

413. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the total number of serving Ministers and Ministers of State who were identified by the National Shared Services Office as having been overpaid by the State arising from payroll or pension deduction errors following Government formation in early 2025; and the number of those individuals who, as of the most recent date available, have entered into repayment arrangements. [6043/26]

View answer

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

414. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the aggregate gross amount identified as overpaid to serving Ministers and Ministers of State arising from payroll or pension deduction errors identified in early 2025; the aggregate amount repaid to date; and the aggregate balance outstanding, noting that no individual-level or personal data is sought. [6044/26]

View answer

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

415. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the range of repayment periods approved by the National Shared Services Office for serving Ministers and Ministers of State arising from payroll or pension deduction overpayments identified in early 2025; and whether any standard repayment framework or guidance was issued by his Department in respect of such cases. [6045/26]

View answer

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

416. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether the repayment terms and timelines approved for serving Ministers and Ministers of State arising from payroll or pension deduction overpayments are equivalent to those applied to members of the public who receive overpayments from the State; and if not, the policy basis and authority for any difference. [6046/26]

View answer

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

417. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation when the payroll and pension deduction errors affecting serving Ministers and Ministers of State were first identified by the National Shared Services Office; when the Department was first notified of those errors; and the reasons repayment arrangements did not commence until June 2025. [6047/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

I propose to take Questions Nos. 413, 414, 415, 416 and 417 together.

I propose to answer questions PQ 6043/26 – 6047/26 together.

The matters identified in the NSSO’s review as outlined below are pension related over-deductions and under-deductions, and not salary overpayments.

The errors concerned were identified by the NSSO following Government formation in January 2025. The NSSO commenced a review to clarify the matters which were distinct and complex. As part of this review, the NSSO carried out a comprehensive review of its processes and worked with its Client Departments and with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

Some early and initial matters identified in the review were communicated to DPER in March 2025. Once these matters had been clarified, engagement then commenced and has been ongoing with those impacted since 10 June 2025. Throughout the process, the NSSO has engaged on an individual basis to address queries and clarifications.

The matters identified in the NSSO review were pension related over-deductions and under-deductions. As standard in cases of pension under-deductions, the NSSO and/or the employer works with the individual to resolve the under-deduction. Impacted individuals can pay back in-full, or they can enter a payment plan agreed with the NSSO.

In relation to current cohort, the majority of persons impacted have signed up to a recoupment plan and work is ongoing by the NSSO to finalise the remaining plans or arrangements.

Payment plans are agreed on a case-by-case basis.

The NSSO is fully committed to ensuring that all monies owed to the State are fully recouped and will continue to follow-up with individuals to finalise payment plans. Since June, all current Ministers on NSSO systems are on the appropriate pension schemes and associated ASC rate.

The NSSO is a processor for HR, payroll, pension, and finance shared services for public and civil servants on behalf of our Client Public Service Bodies. It does not process payments for members of the public.

Question No. 414 answered with Question No. 413.

Question No. 415 answered with Question No. 413.

Question No. 416 answered with Question No. 413.

Question No. 417 answered with Question No. 413.