Same-sex spouses denied pension equality

Long-serving current and former civil servants who have entered civil partnerships or who plan to get married to their same-sex partner have been refused the right to upgrade their single person’s pension to a spouse and children pension.

Public Service Reform Minister Brendan Howlin said the cost of allowing the change in pension arrangements would lead to “substantial additional cost” to the existing liability of public service pensions. His decision has been described as “intransigent” by fellow Government TD Jerry Buttimer, who is openly gay.

Mr Howlin had been asked by the Cork South Central TD about the possibility of a change. He put it to the minister that the alteration in arrangements — on payment of equitable contributions —would “recognise that civil partnerships and marriage were not previously available to these persons”.