Mark Ward
Question:68. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the right of community employment supervisors to secure pension entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50728/22]
View answerThursday, 13 October 2022
Questions (68)
Written answers
As the Deputy is aware, Community Employment (CE) supervisors and CE assistant supervisors sought for several years through their union representatives, SIPTU and Forsa, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors who are employed by CE scheme sponsoring organisations.
Following an agreement between the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Social Protection, a final settlement was reached with unions representing CE supervisors and assistant supervisors at the end of 2021 in settlement of this specific Labour Court recommendation. This settlement resolves this long-standing issue through the payment of a once off ex-gratia payment to eligible CE supervisors and assistant supervisors. At the end of last year, both unions involved confirmed acceptance of this settlement which will benefit approximately 2,500 people employed by CE schemes going back to 2008. It is estimated to have a total cost of over €24 million.
Generally, under the terms of this settlement, on reaching retirement age, eligible CE supervisors and assistant supervisors will receive a once off ex-gratia payment in respect of time employed by CE schemes since 2008.
In relation to the wider issue as regards access to pensions for CE supervisors and assistant supervisors individual schemes, not the state are employers of CE supervisors. Of course, CE supervisors have access to the standard State Contributory Pension. The pension auto enrolment process will also apply to CE workers, once operational.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.