Vol. 505 No. 3
128 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to two deficiencies in the transfer values for pensionable service of various public servants transferring from Northern Ireland in view of the Good Friday Agreement, the cross-Border bodies and the need for closer co-operative structures generally between North and South. [13483/99]
Firstly in relation to cross-Border bodies, I wish to point out that my Department, in conjunction with the Northern Ireland authorities, is currently examining the question of the superannuation arrangements, including transfer of service arrangements, which will apply to the staff of those bodies. These arrangements have not yet been finalised.
In relation to the question of transferring pensionable service to or from public bodies in Northern Ireland, the current position, is that there are no arrangements in place to cater for this. The public sector transfer scheme, which is administered by my Department, provides for the transfer of service, on a reciprocal basis, between participating organisations. Any organisation in the public or private sector (including organisations outside the State) is free to participate in the scheme provided it is prepared to accept the obligations of membership including the liability to make contributions, where necessary, towards the ultimate cost of service benefits. The European Commission is, to date, the only organisation outside the State with whom a transfer arrangement has been agreed.
