asked the Minister for the Public Service if he will state, in respect of each semi-State body whether the terms of the recently agreed scheme for the transferability of State pension rights have been adhered to; and, if not, the reason.
Written Answers. - State Pension Rights.
420.
The final draft of the new comprehensive scheme for transferring service for superannuation purposes has been circulated to all organisations covered by the existing arrangements for transferring pension rights, asking them to indicate whether they are prepared to accept its terms. Other public sector organisations were also circulated. Definitive replies are still outstanding from a small number of organisations. The attached schedule shows the position in relation to each of the semi-State bodies circulated.
The terms of the new scheme provide that organisations may participate with effect from an agreed date which must be not earlier than 1 June 1973. A person transferring between two participating organisations on or after the relevant operative date would automatically benefit; the scheme may also be applied, at the discretion of the final employing organisation, to persons who transferred before the operative date and are still serving on that date, and, in so far as pensions are concerned, to persons who retired before the operative date. Pending the formal implementation of the scheme it is open to each organisation in paragraph 1 of the schedule to operate the new arrangements on a provisional basis in relation to any other organisation listed in that paragraph.
As indicated in the schedule, most of the organisations concerned have accepted the new scheme and the majority of those who are still considering the position have indicated that they are, in principle, favourably disposed towards it. The scheme will have a vital role to play in furthering mobility of labour within the public sector and its importance in this respect has been brought to the attention of the organisations concerned. However, it will be appreciated that general policy on the operational independence of semi-State bodies requires that each organisation, after considering the alternatives and the stated preference of my Department, should be allowed to take its own decision as to whether, and on what basis, it would join the scheme.
Every effort is being made to expedite the finalisation of the new scheme and it is expected to be given full statutory effect in the near future.
Following is the Schedule:
1. Organisations authorised to implement the Transfer Scheme on a provisional basis:
An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, An Bord Pleanala. An Chomhairle Ealaion, An Chomhairle Oiliuna (AnCo). An Foras Taluntais, Bord Failte Eireann, Bord na gCapall, Central Bank of Ireland, Church of Ireland College of Education, Rathmines, Dublin; Coras Iompair Eireann, Coras Trachtala, Cork District Milk Board, Cork Harbour Commissioners, Cork/Kerry Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd., Cork Savings Bank, Council for Education Recruitment and Training (CERT), Defence Forces, Donegal-Leitrim-Sligo Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd., Dublin District Milk Board, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, Dublin Port and Docks Board, Dublin Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd., Dublin Savings Bank (Trustee Savings Bank, Dublin); Eastern Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd., Economic and Social Research Institute, Electricity Supply Board, Foyle Fisheries Commission, Galway Harbour Commission, Garda Siochana, Higher Education Authority, Industrial Development Authority, Institiuid Teangeolaiochta Eireann, Institute for Industrial Research and Standards, Labour Court, Law Reform Commission, Mary Immaculate College of Education, Limerick; Midland Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd., Mid-Western Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd., National Board for Science and Technology, National Building Agency Ltd., National University of Ireland, Nitrigin Eireann Teo., Our Lady of Mercy College of Education, Blackrock, Co. Dublin; Pigs and Bacon Commission, Radio Telefis Eireann, Royal Irish Academy. Schools, service in which is pensionable in accordance with a scheme made under the Teachers' Superannuation Act 1928 (No. 32 of 1928) - i.e. in general terms National and Secondary Schools. Schools, service in which is pensionable in accordance with the contributory pension scheme for full-time non-teaching employees serving on the staffs of comprehensive and community schools under the control of the Minister for Education. Schools, service in which is pensionable in accordance with the Contributory Superannuation Scheme for Members of Staff in Special Schools under the Department of Education. Shannon Free Airport Development Co. Ltd., St Angela's Training College of Home Economics, Lough Gill, Sligo; St Catherine's Training College of Home Economics, Blackrock, Co. Dublin; St Patrick's College, Maynooth; St Patrick's College of Education, Drumcondra, Dublin 9; Trinity College, Dublin; Udarás na Gaeltachta, University College, Cork; University College, Dublin; University College, Galway; Voluntary Health Insurance Board, Voluntary Hospitals and Nursing Organisations to which the Voluntary Hospitals Superannuation Scheme 1969 applies. Western Regional Tourism Organisation Ltd.
2. Organisations agreeable to participate in the Transfer Scheme but not yet authorised to implement it provisionally:
(a) Organisations designated as approved bodies for purposes of section 4 of the Superannuation and Pensions Act, 1963 (i.e. the ‘old' transfer arrangements):
Aer Lingus, Aer Rianta, An Chomhairle Oiliuna Talmhaiochta (ACOT), An Bord Bainne, An Foras Forbartha Teo., Bord Gais, Cara Data Processing, Ceimici Teo., Central Fisheries Board, Dundalk Harbour Commissioners, Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, Institute of Public Administration, ISPCC, Kilkenny Design Workshop, Limerick Harbour Commissioners, Local Government and Public Services Union, National College of Art and Design, National institute for Higher Education, Dublin; National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick; Northern Regional Fisheries Board, North Western Regional Fisheries Board, North Western Regional Tourism Organisation, Ostlanna Iompair Eireann Teo., Restrictive Practices Commission, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Salmon Research Trust, Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, Sligo Harbour Commissioners, South Eastern Regional Tourism Organisation, South Western Regional Fisheries Board, Southern Regional Fisheries Board, Waterford Harbour Commissioners, Western Regional Fisheries Board.
(b) Non-designated organisations:
Bord na gCon, Legal Aid Board, Local Authorities (incl. Health Boards, etc.); Organisations to which the Nominated Health Agencies Superannuation Scheme, 1981, applies.
3. Organisations from which a final reply is still outstanding:
(a) Designated organisations:
Agricultural Credit Corporation, Bord na Mona, British and Irish Steampacket Co. Ltd., Irish Dunlop Co. Ltd., Nuclear Energy Board, St Laurence's Hospital.
(b) Non-designated organisations:
Agency for Personal Service Overseas, An Bord Altranais, Coras Beostoic agus Feola Teo., Industrial Credit Co., Irish Productivity Centre, National Council for Educational Awards, Racing Board, Thomond College of Education, Limerick.
4. Organisations which have indicated that they are not prepared to participate in the new scheme for the time being (and did not operate the old arrangements):
Arramara Teo., Drogheda Harbour Commissioners, Irish Life Assurance Co. Ltd., Irish National Stud Co. Ltd., Irish Shipping Ltd., Irish Steel Holdings, Irish Sugar Co. Ltd.