Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 April 2014
324. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the way a resolution can be found to the ongoing difficulties in the Irish aviation superannuation scheme; and if she is examining ways in which deferred members of the scheme could have a greater input in working out proposals to address the difficulties with the scheme. [17405/14]
View answer325. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection her position on a recent complaint submitted by a group of former workers of a company (details supplied) in respect of a pension scheme to the Pensions Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17406/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 325 together.
While I am aware of the funding challenges facing the Irish Airlines Staff Superannuation Scheme and indeed many other pension schemes at this time, you will appreciate that it is not appropriate for me to comment on these developments as these are a matter for the management of the company and the trustees of the relevant pension scheme.
You will be aware that a number of legislative measures have been put in place in recent years to assist employers and the trustees of pension schemes respond to the funding challenge and to ensure that pension schemes are sustainable into the future.
The matter of representation of deferred scheme members in consideration of proposals to address difficulties with a scheme needs to be considered in the context of engagement with trustees and in the broader industrial relations context. I have written to my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in this regard and my officials have engaged with officials from that Department to consider the issues arising.
The Pensions Authority supervises the regulation of individual schemes in accordance with the Pensions Act. The Pensions Authority is an agency under the aegis of my Department and exercises its functions independently of the Department. I would expect that the Authority will address the matters raised with them in accordance with their remit under the Pensions Act.
