asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that certain employees of the former Grand Canal Company are excluded from participation in the C.I.E. pensions scheme by reason of their age; and whether he will request the board to prepare an amending scheme to enable such persons to qualify for admission.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Canal Workers' Pensions Scheme.
I am aware that under the terms of the Order made by my predecessor on March 5th, 1955, former Grand Canal Company employees who were transferred to C.I.E. under the Transport Act, 1950, were admitted to the pensions scheme for regular wages staff on certain conditions, one of which was that applicants had not reached 50 years of age on 1st June, 1950. I assume that the former employees of the Grand Canal Company to whom the Deputy refers are those who were over that age limit.
Under the provisions of the Transport Act, 1950, the initiative for any amendment of their pension schemes is placed on the board of C.I.E.