Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 1

Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.

Joan Burton

Question:

381 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason there has been more than a two year delay in paying the pensions of part time workers who were employed at retirement in the third level sector and whose right to a pension entitlement was extended by the Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001; the reason the Higher Education Authority has withheld approval for implementation by the colleges of the provisions of the Act which is effective from 20 December 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15845/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I am not aware of any circumstances where payment of pensions to retired part-time workers who were employed at retirement in the third level sector has been delayed. However, I would be happy to have particular circumstances investigated immediately on receipt of specific details from the Deputy.

The provisions of the Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001 provide forpro-rata conditions of employment of certain part-time workers to those a comparable full-time worker. This provision does not apply, as it relates to any pension scheme or arrangement, to a part-time employee whose normal hours of work constitute less than 20% of the normal hours of work of a comparable full-time employee. This is a complex piece of legislation which is being examined in consultation with the unions concerned and the Department of Finance.

The date of enactment of the legislation is the 20 December 2001 and any entitlements will be retrospective to that date.