Asked the Minister for Labour the number of private superannuation schemes in the various places of employment throughout the State; and the number of these schemes that have redundancy cover in them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Private Superannuation Schemes.
38.
The information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department. It is understood, however, from the Revenue Commissioners that the number of private superannuation schemes qualifying for tax relief is approximately 2,500 and, that while these schemes are not concerned with redundancy as such, the rules normally provide for withdrawals or dismissals, including dismissals caused by redundancy.
Does the Minister not consider it imperative to have such information accumulated, having regard to the stand he has taken in excluding certain classes of workers from the Redundancy Payments Bill?
My own Department has knowledge of a limited number of schemes only but the Revenue Commissioners have information of people who seek tax exemptions. As I told the Deputy, when we were dealing with the Bill, I shall see if there is any way in which we can extend the Bill to cover people who are not covered under the present proposals.
Surely it is unfair to exclude people from a Bill when we have not got information as to the numbers involved?
When you are breaking new ground with legislation, you have to start somewhere. If I wanted to do what the Deputy wants of me— which probably is desirable—then the Bill would have had to wait a long time. I think it is better to have a Redundancy Payments Act in force.
Surely the obvious thing to do is to include such people until the opportunity presents itself to exclude them?
I promised the House I would see if this could be done and I shall speak about it on Report Stage.
I am compiling figures for the Minister at the moment; I shall give them to him.
Good.