I started working for the HSE a couple years ago at age 31. This is my first time having a pension.
I have the option of purchasing additional pension years, I can buy 5 additional years for the cost of 0.55% of my gross salary and 4.23% of my net salary. Or I have the option of buying it now straight out with a lump sum of 52k (which I don't have anyway).
............... As a post 2013 hire I know that my pension will be pretty inferior to the old public service pensions anyway. From what I can figure out using the pension estimate calculators on the HSE website, buying the extra 5 years will give me an extra 8k lump sum and an extra 1k per year on retirement.
For reference, I'm working as a nurse, currently on €31500 plus an additional 6-7k per year in weekends and nightshift pay.