Gardaí criticise Govt plan for proposed pension changes

Senior gardaí are unhappy with the Government's response to an independent report which recommended changes to their pension schemes.

Assistant garda commissioners and chief superintendents are seeking clarity as to why the Government did not accept the recommendations of the Butler report which examined the financial issues that the senior officers said were preventing them from applying for promotion.

They said they could face a substantial tax bill, in some cases up to €500,000, if they were appointed to higher ranks and are dissatisfied with the approach the Government has taken following the completion of the review.

Minister for Finance Jack Chambers announced phased increases in the Standard Fund Threshold (SFT) of €200,000 per year beginning in 2026.

The senior officers want to know why Mr Chambers is waiting two years before implementing this recommendation and are particularly disappointed that the Government is not implementing more quickly what they said is a crucial recommendation that related multipliers, used to value their pensions, be revised.

The minster said he was asking his officials to arrange an independent evaluation of the age related valuation factors proposed in the report.

The senior officers argue that the implementation of this recommendation "could solve the problem immediately" but instead Mr Chambers has said an "inter-agency group will be formed to oversee the implementation of the remaining recommendations".

The assistant commissioners and chief superintendents accused the Government of "kicking the can down the road" and pointed to the fact that the minister has also said that "the rate of CET (chargeable excess tax) is to remain unchanged with a specific review of the rate to take place by 2030".

A number of assistant commissioners did apply for the position of deputy commissioner on foot of "private assurances" that the pensions issue would be dealt with before the post was filled.

Three career gardaí and a former senior PSNI officer have been shortlisted after the first round of interviews. The final interviews take place next month.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is also due to leave his post as the most senior officer in the country next year and there is a concern about whether senior gardaí will apply for that position.