If you are in the public service, it is a PRSA AVC plan which is linked to your employment in the public service. You mature it at the same time you retire from the public service. You don't get 25% of it tax free although it can be used to maximise the tax free lump sum from your public service pensions.
The brokers who sell the AVC plans to the public servants are experts in that field and have all the tools in helping you calculate how much you can take out tax free. Generally, it would be quicker and cheaper to use them.
Steven
http://www.bluewaterfp.ie (www.bluewaterfp.ie)