I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 to 66, inclusive, together.
Responsibility for processing individual PAY cases and retirement cases rests with the relevant public service pension scheme administrator, in conjunction with the public service employer. This is not a function performed by the Department.
The Department provides policy guidance on Professional Added Years (PAY). This includes guidance on the operation and application of scheme rules, actuarial calculations, and the exercise of certain discretions.
The Minister has a designated role for some of the university pension schemes. In addition, the Department provides actuarial and technical input to the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) in relation to Civil Service retirement cases.
Since 2019, the Department’s pensions helpdesk has received 1,557 queries relating to PAY, covering both general and actuarial issues. There are currently 63 open PAY queries being progressed.
Data on individual PAY cases is held by the relevant public service employers. The Department does not hold statistical information at individual case level.