asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will ensure that architectural and engineering employees at Shannon Airport who are transferring from the Department of Transport and Power to Aer Rianta will receive the same pension rights as Aer Rianta employees who are now retiring with forty years service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Airport Employees Pension Rights
142.
In May, 1968, it was announced that Aer Rianta would be given the responsibility for the management of Shannon and Cork Airports.
The staff who were working at each airport and who were to be transferred to Aer Rianta were assured that their terms and conditions would not be worsened following such a transfer.
The architectural and engineering staff referred to by the Deputy on transfer to Aer Rianta receive full superannuation credit for their service with the Department. The terms on which they enter the Aer Rianta superannuation scheme are matters for negotiation between the staff and the company but in no case will any transferred officer be entitled to pension rights less favourable than if he had remained in the civil service.
Is the Minister aware that the problem with these employees appears to be that those who are now retiring after 40 years' service are getting a pension of approximately £1,650, whereas those now going over to Aer Rianta will get a pension later of only £1,650 less the social welfare content which is approximately £650? This is the bone of contention—that the amount of social welfare content is being deducted from the pension while those now retiring with 40 years' service are getting the gross sum of £1,650 including the social welfare.
I think the position was that prior to 1970 those employed in Aer Rianta were not barred from paying full superannuation plus full social welfare contributions. Therefore, when they are coming out now. if they had been contributing to social welfare stamps they would be entitled to a social welfare pension as well as superannuation. Since 1970 Aer Rianta employees are not permitted to do this. It is only those who worked in Aer Rianta before 1970 and who were paying both superannuation contributions and full social welfare contributions who are concerned. I am not sure if that included everybody. I do not think it did; I think it was only some of the employees who voluntarily bought their stamps.