andMr. P. Barry asked the Minister for the Public Service in respect of each semi-State body if the terms of the recently agreed scheme for the transferability of State pension rights have been adhered to and, if not, the reason why.
Written Answers. - Transferability of State Pensions.
211.
The final draft of the new comprehensive scheme for transferring service for superannuation purposes has been circulated to all organisations covered by the existing arrangements for transferring pension rights, asking them to indicate whether they are prepared to accept its terms. Other public sector organisations were also circulated. Definitive replies are still outstanding from a minority of organisations and, when these have been recieved, arrangements will be made for the formal implementation of the scheme. The attached schedule shows the position in relation to each of the organisations circulated.
The terms of the new scheme provide that organisations may participate with effect from an agreed date which must be not earlier than 1 June 1973. A person transferring between two participating organisations on or after the relevant operative date would automatically benefit; the scheme may also be applied, at the discretion of the final employing organisation, to persons who transferred before the operative date and are still serving on that date, and, in so far as pensions are concerned, to persons who retired before the operative date. Pending the formal implementation of the scheme it is open to each organisation which has decided to participate to operate the new arrangements on a provisional basis in relation to any other participating organisation. Thus, for example, civil servants are being allowed, subject to certain conditions, to reckon pensionable service in the Defence Forces, Garda Síochána and National and Secondary Teaching.
As indicated in the schedule, most of the organisations concerned have accepted the new scheme and the majority of those who are still considering the position have indicated that they are, in principle, favourably disposed towards it. The new scheme is a complex one and obviously requires careful examination by the organisations involved, and particularly those which have funded schemes. Every effort is, of course, being made to expendite its finalisation.
The scheme will have a vital role to play in furthering mobility of labour within the public sector and its importance in this respect has been brought to the attention of the organisations concerned. However, it will be appreciated that general policy on the operational independence of State bodies requires that each organisation, after considering the alternatives and the stated preference of my Department, should be allowed to take its own decision as to whether, and on what basis, it would join the scheme.
SCHEDULE.
1. Organisations participating in the existing transfer network (i.e. those to whom section 4 of the Superannuation and Pensions Act, 1963 applies).
(1) Those which have accepted the new Scheme:
Bord Fáilte Éireann.
The Electricity Supply Board.
Córas Tráchtála.
Gaeltarra Éireann.
The Institute for Industrial Research and Standards.
University College Cork.
An Comhairle Oiliúna.
University College Galway.
University College Dublin.
Trinity College Dublin.
An Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
The Inland Fisheries Trust Incorporated.
Pigs and Bacon Commission.
Dublin Savings Bank.
Voluntary Health Insurance Board.
An Comhairle Ealaíon.
Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.
The National Institute for Physical Planning and Construction Research Limited ("An Foras Forbartha Teoranta").
The Defence Forces.
The Garda Síochána.
Nitrigin Éireann Teoranta.
Royal Irish Academy.
St. Patrick's College, Maynooth.
Schools, service in which is pensionable in accordance with a scheme made under the Teachers' Superannuation Act, 1928 (No. 32 of 1928)—i.e. in general terms, National and Secondary Schools.
Comprehensive and Community Schools (non-teaching staff).
Local authorities (including health boards and certain other organisations to which the Local Government (Superannuation) Act, 1956, applies).
Central Bank.
The Labour Court.
The Industrial Development Authority.
Radio Telefis Éireann.
Aer Lingus and Aer Rianta.
Dublin District Milk Board.
Dublin Port and Docks Board.
Our Lady of Mercy College of Education, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
Cork Savings Bank.
Ceimici Teoranta.
The National University of Ireland.
Special Schools (Teaching Staff).
Dublin Regional Organisation Ltd.
An Bord Bainne Co-op Ltd.
Mid-Western Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd.
An Foras Talúntais.
Economic and Social Research Institute.
Midland Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd.
Western Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd.
North-Western Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd.
Córas lompair Éireann.
Kilkenny Design Workshops Ltd.
Cork Harbour Commissioners.
National Building Agency Ltd.
(2) Those which are still considering the position
Agricultural Credit Corporation Ltd.
Bord na Móna.
Shannon Free Airport Development Company Ltd.
The Eastern Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd.
The South-Eastern Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd.
The Southern Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd.
Ostlanna lompair Éireann Teoranta.
Voluntary Hospitals and Nursing Organisations in which Voluntary Hospitals' Superannuation Scheme 1969 applies.
Foyle Fisheries Commission.
Church of Ireland College of Education, Rathmines, Dublin.
The Irish Dunlop Company Limited.
Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
Mary Immaculate College of Education, Limerick.
St. Laurence's Hospital.
St. Patrick's College of Education, Drumcondra, Dublin.
Cara Data Processing Ltd.
Nuclear Energy Board.
British and Irish Steampacket Co. Ltd.
2. Organisations which do not participate in the existing transfer network.
(1) Those which have accepted the new Scheme: Institute of Public Administration.
Cork District Milk Board.
Galway Harbour Commissioners.
Council for Education, Recruitment and Training (CERT).
St. Angela's College, Lough Gill, Sligo.
St. Catherine's, Sion Hill, Blackrock.
Bord na gCapall.
Higher Education Authority.
National Board of Science and Technology.
Institúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann.
The Law Reform Commission.
An Bord Pleanála.
National College of Art and Design.
Limerick Harbour Commissioners.
(2) These which are still considering the position:
Irish Productivity Centre.
Industrial Credit Company.
Bord Gais Éireann.
National Institute of Higher Education, Dublin.
National Institute of Higher Education, Limerick.
Irish National Stud Co. Ltd.
Agency for Personal Service Overseas.
An Bord Altranais.
(3) Those which have refused to accept the new Scheme:
Irish Shipping Ltd.
Irish Life Assurance Co. Ltd.
Arramara Teo.
Irish Steel Holdings.
Irish Sugar Co. Ltd.