Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 2003

Vol. 573 No. 3

Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.

Richard Bruton

Question:

539 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some workers who were in the Aer Rianta pension scheme before some of their work was contracted out to another company now find that their pension rights have been eroded, despite the guarantee given at the time that their pension and terms of employment would not be affected by the change; if his Department was party to this guarantee given; and his views on the implications of this for guarantees being offered that employment conditions will not be affected by the current proposed restructuring of Aer Rianta. [25304/03]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

Matters concerning the terms and conditions of employment of workers in Aer Rianta, including pension arrangements, are a day-to-day matter for the company.

I understand from the company that in the early 1980s a number of Aer Rianta staff at Dublin Airport transferred to a catering company at the airport in accordance with the terms of an agreement between the ICTU and Aer Rianta The company informs me that the agreement included provision for a new pension scheme to be established for transferring staff which would be at least equal with the scheme applying in Aer Rianta. Staff transferring to the new scheme were also given full credit for all their previous pensionable service in the Aer Rianta pension scheme.

With regard to the Government's decision of July last to restructure Aer Rianta and establish the three State airports as fully independent and autonomous authorities under State ownership, I have already stated publicly on several occasions that there will not be any diminution in the terms and conditions of employment of Aer Rianta workers, including pension arrangements, arising from this decision.