asked the Minister for the Public Service the organisations which have been consulted about the proposed revised scheme for the transfer of pension rights between public sector organisations; those with whom the consultations have been completed; if he will now extend transferability of pension rights between those organisations which are in agreement; and, if not, why.
Written Answers. - Pension Rights Transfer.
338.
The answer to the first part of the question is as follows:
Agricultural Credit Corporation Ltd.
Bord Fáilte Éireann
Córas Iompair Éireann
Electricity Supply Board
Radio Telefís Éireann
Central Bank of Ireland
Córas Tráchtála
Economic and Social Research Institute
Gaeltarra Éireann
Institute for Industrial Research and Standards
University College Cork
Aer Lingus
Aer Rianta
An Foras Talúntais
Bord na Móna
An Chomhairle Oiliúna
University College Galway
University College Dublin
Shannon Free Airport Development Company, Ltd.
Cork Harbour Commissioners
Industrial Development Authority
Trinity College Dublin
An Bord Iascaigh Mhara
Dublin Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd.
Eastern Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd.
South Eastern Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd.
Southern Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd.
Mid-Western Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd.
Western Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd.
North-Western Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd.
Midland Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd.
The Inland Fisheries Trust Incorporated
National Building Agency Ltd.
Pigs and Bacon Commission.
An Bord Bainne Co-operative Limited
Ceimicí Teoranta
Cork Savings Bank
Dublin Savings Bank
Ostlanna Iompair Éireann Teoranta
Voluntary Health Insurance Board
An Chomhairle Ealaíon
Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
Foyle Fisheries Commission
Kilkenny Design Workshops Limited
The National Institute for Physical Planning and Construction Research Ltd. ("An Foras Forbartha Teoranta")
Dublin District Milk Board
In addition, the Ministers responsible for the pension terms of the Defence Forces, Garda Síochána, national and secondary teachers, local authorities and health boards, voluntary hospitals and the Labour Court have been consulted and have indicated general agreement with the draft scheme.
As regards the second part of the question, since the terms of the scheme have not been finally settled it is not possible to say that consultations have been completed. However, at this stage it is clear that the scheme is acceptable in principle to nearly all the organisations concerned. Certain problems, particularly in regard to the contributions in respect of transfers, have emerged in the course of the consultations. It is hoped to arrive at a general agreement with the bodies concerned on these points in the fairly near future when the way should then be clear to prepare a final scheme.
As regards the third part of the question, the position is that, pending finalisation of the scheme, civil servants are being allowed, subject to certain conditions, to reckon pensionable service in the Defence Forces, Garda Síochána and national and secondary teaching. I would, of course, have no objection to any of the other organisations entering into arrangements for the reciprocal transfer of pension rights, provided the organisations concerned agree to accept the terms ultimately provided in the transfer scheme.