Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 December 2020
264. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 46 of 25 November 2020, if, in accordance with section 41(7) of the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993, the dispute involved has been referred to him for determination by him; if so, the date of any such referral; when he will be in a position to make a determination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44190/20]
View answer270. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the scheme or schemes, in accordance with section 41(1) of the Irish Aviation Act 1993, for the granting of superannuation benefits to, or in respect of, such members of the staff of the company that have been prepared by the company and submitted to the Minister and approved by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44194/20]
View answer272. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the reason the terms of the Irish Aviation Authority 1996 superannuation scheme were amended in 2012 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44317/20]
View answer273. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the reason Irish Aviation Authority members were not informed of changes to the Irish Aviation Authority 1996 superannuation scheme in 2012 and were not given mandatory notice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44318/20]
View answer274. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to rescinding the 2012 amendment of the Irish Aviation Authority 1996 superannuation scheme given that his Department has now been notified that the rationale for its introduction was based on misinformation provided by the IAA and a subsequent admission by the IAA that the measures should only be temporary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44319/20]
View answer275. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if pension in payment increases will be awarded as guaranteed under section 41(5) of the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44320/20]
View answer276. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the authority under which the board of the Irish Aviation Authority decided not to award pension increases given that such authority is vested in the Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44322/20]
View answer277. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the authority under which the board of the Irish Aviation Authority instructed the trustees and actuary to make no provision for future pension increases when determining the fund liability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44323/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 264, 270 and 272 to 277, inclusive, together.
In the first instance, matters relating to pension provisions are between the employer and its employees, who can be represented in negotiations by staff unions. The design and funding of pension schemes are governed by rules and a regulatory framework set out in the Pensions Acts, and all such schemes in the State must conform accordingly and Employers and Pension Scheme Trustees must engage as required with the Pensions Board.
I can confirm that two submissions have been made on behalf of some staff of the Irish Aviation Authority in accordance with Section 41 (7) of the Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993 which provides that a dispute on superannuation benefit may be submitted to the Minister for Transport for determination by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I am not able to comment further on the details of the submissions at this point but can advise the Deputies that it will be considered in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
The IAA provides pensions to its employees under four superannuation schemes.
(1) The Irish Aviation Authority Staff Superannuation Scheme 1996 is applicable to staff whose employment commenced prior to 1 April, 2008; and (2) The Irish Aviation Authority Staff Superannuation Scheme 2008 is applicable to staff whose employment commenced from 1 April 2008 to 31 December 2011. Both of these schemes have been approved as required under the Act.
(3) The Irish Aviation Authority Hybrid Pension 2012 is applicable to staff whose employment commenced from 1 January 2012. The Hybrid Pension is counted as two connected schemes - (3) (i) a Defined Contribution scheme and (3) (ii) a Defined Benefit scheme. For now, the 2012 Hybrid Pension is operating on an administrative basis pending the receipt of final formal documentation from the Company in accordance with Section 41 of the Act.
