Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 17 Dec 1996

Vol. 473 No. 1

Written Answers. - Pension Entitlements.

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

360 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will examine the cases of two persons (details supplied) in County Waterford who have been requested to pay 40 years worth of contributions to the spouses and children's pension scheme which commenced on 12 March 1993, with a view to finding an equitable solution. [23599/96]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Dukes)

Under the Telecom Éireann spouses' and children's contributory pension scheme, persons who are aggrieved by the failure or refusal of the company to make an award under the scheme or by the amount of any award made, have the right of appeal to me as Minister. Unless and until such an appeal is lodged I have no function in the matter. The Deputy should be aware that under the scheme, an appeal against failure by the company to make an award must be made within eight months after the occasion in respect of which the award is claimed and any other appeal must be made within six months after the decision to which it relates. Obviously, any such appeal should be accompanied by a full statement of the facts relating to the particular case.

I should point out that the purpose of the spouses' and children's contributory pension scheme is to provide benefits in respect of a member's spouse and children in the event of his or her death. In common with similar schemes throughout the rest of the public service, all new entrants after a certain date are automatically made members of the scheme. Members and the employer share the cost of the scheme equally between them. The member pays a periodic contribution of 1.5 per cent of salary, while a deduction is also made from lump sum or death gratuity in respect of any service for which periodic contributions have not been paid. It is important to note that the overall funding of the scheme, and its low contribution rate, is conditional on a wide membership contributing towards its cost. However, due to its insurance type nature, not all members are guaranteed to benefit from their membership.