437. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 293 of 7 July 2026, the reason researchers in technological universities are prevented from accessing the single pension scheme; whether their equivalents in universities can access the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54030/26]

The Single Public Service Pension Scheme is a statutory Public Service Career-Average Defined Benefit Pension Scheme. To be eligible for membership of the Single Scheme, the employee must be a public servant in a public service body and the position must be a pensionable position. Where an individual is appointed to a non-pensionable position and/or where the individual is not a public servant, they will not be members of the Single Scheme.

Following the submission of a business case by my officials, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services Reform and Digitalisation is reviewing the pensionable status of researchers in technological universities to advise on their eligibility for membership of the scheme. As part of that business case, my officials highlighted that equivalent research staff in the non-technological university sector do have access to the single scheme.

The Deputy may wish to note that this matter is a standing item on the Technological Higher Education IR Forum for Academic Grades which is attended by officials from both Departments as well as staff representatives.