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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Oct 1945

Vol. 98 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - C.I.É. Superannuation Scheme.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state if he has confirmed a superannuation scheme for the employees of Córas Iompair Éireann, and whether the scheme provides for the making of certain options as to the amount of pension to be paid over certain periods; and if so, if he will state what these options are and whether, before asking any employees to make a decision in this matter, he will state whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation for amending the Old Age Pensions Acts by providing that the amount of an old age pension will not be reduced by reason of a person being in receipt of a pension under this or any other such scheme.

A pension scheme submitted by Córas Iompair Éireann was confirmed by me on the 27th September, 1945, with certain minor amendments. Copies of the confirmation Order made by me under Section 44 of the Transport Act, 1944, will be placed on sale shortly. The scheme provides for the exercise of options by employees of the company at normal pension age.

I understand that all pensions of this kind are taken into account when reckoning the means of an applicant for an old age pension. All questions relating to old age pension legislation come within the province of the Minister for Finance.

Will the Minister say how the company can expect men to make an option on the lines suggested in the scheme, under which they may elect to have a larger pension from 65 to 70 and a smaller pension after that, until they know whether the practice of taking these pensions into account when granting the old age pension is going to continue?

The old age pension law, as I understand, requires that all means shall be taken into account. If there is to be any question of amending that law, it cannot be done merely in relation to the payments made by Córas Iompair Éireann but must apply also to similar payments made by other employers.

Will the Minister say whether, when he was discussing and considering the pension scheme proposed by Córas Iompair Éireann, he gave any consideration to the fact that there was likely to be a change in the old age pension law?

I considered only the state of the existing law.

Will the Minister say then, whether, if men make an option now, under the present conditions with regard to the old age pension law, they will be able to make a different option if the old age pension law is subsequently changed?

Under the Córas Iompair Éireann scheme there is no obligation on a man to opt now as to which of the various benefits he will elect to draw. He can make that option when his time comes to retire.

Would the Minister make it clear that it is not intended under the scheme that a man will make an option until his retiring date comes? Is that so?

That is specifically stated in the scheme.

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