230 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Justice whether gardaí and prison officers, who have concluded or are concluding agreements under the restructuring option of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work have been informed regarding adjustments to pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22576/96]

Pending completion of the restructuring deals and consideration of the pensions issue generally I am not in a position at this stage to set out the effects of such deals on the pensions of all former members of the Garda Síochána or the Prison Service.

Restructuring deals have still to be finalised in respect of several other major public service groups. Consideration is currently being given to the implications for existing pensioners of the existing and pending restructuring deals across the public sector and in relation to pensions increase policy generally.