Pension Provisions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018

Tuesday, 12 June 2018

Questions (1242, 1243)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

1242. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to establish an independent review group within her Department to assess the level and impact of cuts suffered by all categories of members in a pension scheme (details supplied) due to changes in legislation and in particular the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2014 and subsequent reductions in members benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24940/18]

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

1243. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to consider in the preparation of budget 2019 specific measures targeted at members of a pension scheme (details supplied) to reduce the impact of cuts to their pension benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24945/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1242 and 1243 together.

The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot intervene in the pension arrangements applying to a particular pension scheme or introduce any measures which would benefit the members of a particular pension scheme to the exclusion of members of similar pension schemes.

While I am very conscious that any reduction in benefits can have a significant impact on scheme members, any such consideration is a matter for the pension scheme trustee, the companies participating in the scheme, the scheme members and the Pensions Authority.

As the Deputy is aware the scheme in question is now the subject of legal proceedings. Therefore, it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further on the matter.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.