The problems encountered by the former employees in question have arisen through their membership of a private company occupational pension scheme. The administration and operation of such schemes is the responsibility of the administrators and trustees concerned and is a matter in which I have no function.
The Minister for Labour's sole function in regard to occupational pension schemes arises under the Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) Acts, 1984 to 1991, which provide for the payment from the Social Insurance Fund of certain outstanding pension contributions. Section 7 of the 1984 Act sets down the conditions of payment.
The outstanding contributions covered for payment under the Acts are limited to those which both the employer and the employees were liable to pay in respect of the pension scheme during the year prior to the date of the insolvency of the employer.
The only other condition in relation to the employees' contributions is that the amount claimed must have been deducted from the pay of the employees but not paid over to the administrator/trustees of the occupational pension scheme.