asked the Minister for Finance when he intends to introduce legislation to give pensions to unestablished employees.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unestablished Employees' Pensions.
13.
Details of the pensions scheme for unestablished staff have now been virtually finalised and payments of some benefits have, in fact, already been made. Legislation is not required for implementation of the scheme.
Can the Minister state if it will cover all categories of State employees who have the required service?
It will cover all categories in respect of whom agreement was reached. There are conditions of service laid down, as the Deputy indicated in his supplementary question. I am not willing to say it will cover all categories with that degree of service because it may be that some may be excluded. I am not aware of them, off-hand, but this could be the case.
Will the category known as the "quasi-permanent" people be covered?
Yes.
Is it not true that this was negotiated by a sub-committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions during the years and that they have negotiated terms for their members? Is it not a fact that if anyone is excluded it is because he is not a member of a trade union?
I do not think that is quite accurate.
Has the attention of the Minister been drawn to a report in one of the Sunday papers a few weeks ago to the effect that he was introducing legislation to give this benefit, despite the fact that it is well known that this matter was negotiated over a long period by the trade unions concerned?
I wish to thank the Minister. Great things are happening in our time.
Elias has come among us.
I am calling Question No. 14.