61. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he is aware of concerns regarding differing pension outcomes for medical scientists based on date of retirement; whether this position has been examined in the context of public service pension policy; and if any measures are under consideration to address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44305/26]

62. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if approval is required to extend recent pension adjustments for medical scientists to those who retired prior to 1 January 2024; whether such a proposal has been considered; and if he will indicate the current status of this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44307/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 62 together.

In 2023, the Labour Court recommended the implementation of the findings of the Report on Medical Scientist Grades Assessment no later than 1 January 2024. This recommendation then formed part of the Public Service Pay Agreement 2024 – 2026, following extensive discussions between the parties.  Circular 2/2024 set forth new rates for the Medical Scientist grades that were applied to existing staff with effect from 1 January 2024. This constitutes a regrading and a move to a new scale. It is established practice that in such cases, the changes are not passed on to those who retired before its implementation.

The application of the new Medical Scientist Grade is in line with Public Service Pension Policy in this regard, i.e. where a post is upgraded, the terms of the upgrade apply from the date of the sanctioned upgrade. It does not apply retrospectively to previous post-holders, either employees who formerly held the post or retirees who previously held the post. This pertains across all grades of staff across the public service. This policy position has been subsequently supported by the Labour Court.

This long-standing matter has been resolved through the Labour Court, which examined all relevant issues.

It is important to note that retired medical scientists, who are in pre-existing schemes, have and will continue to benefit from general round increases of 9.25% provided for in the Public Service Pay Agreement 2024 – 2026 over the lifetime of the agreement.