Written Answers Nos. 58-65
58. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if all retired Allied Irish bank employees currently in receipt of an occupational pension from the bank are paid out of the bank's defined benefit pension scheme. [49040/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed that AIB has a number of defined benefit schemes. All retired AIB employees, currently in receipt of an occupational pension from the bank, are paid out of one of these schemes.
59. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm the funding deficit in Allied Irish Bank's defined pension benefit pension scheme prior to the transfer of €1.1 billion of gross loan assets into the scheme in August 2012; and if he will confirm the funding position of the scheme at present. [49041/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAIB Group’s pension deficit as reported at 30 June 2012 in the bank’s interim results was €1,457m. I am informed that this figure includes all of the Group’s pension schemes, including the Irish defined benefit scheme. This figure is disclosed to the market on a semi-annual basis and updated figures will be reported in early 2013 in the bank’s Annual Report for 2012. The transfer of assets to the pension fund earlier this year was undertaken in order to facilitate the early retirement component of the voluntary severance program of the bank. Had the transfer of assets not taken place, the early retirement component of the voluntary severance could not have proceeded as it would have required a cash contribution from the bank. The voluntary severance scheme in the bank overall is expected to result in annual savings to AIB in excess of €200m which is a critical component of AIB’s return to long term viability.
60. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if all current employees of Allied Irish Bank have now been transferred to a new defined contribution scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49042/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the bank that staff were advised on the 14th June 2012 of its intention to close the defined benefit schemes to future accrual. Following this announcement the bank commenced a consultation process with unions representing staff in line with agreed procedures. It is currently anticipated that agreement with the unions will be in place before the end of 2012.
61. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 52 of 24 October 2012, if he considered requesting the bank to make a section 50 application to the Pension Board to reduce the benefits payable to retired chief executive and other returned senior executives of the bank as part of the transfer of assets into the pension scheme to meet the new funding requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49043/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAIB has informed me that it understands that an application under section 50 would not apply to pensions already in payment.
62. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will update Dáil Éireann on the role of his Department and associated agencies in educating and creating awareness amongst employers regarding the needs of persons with Spina Bifida and persons with Hydrocephalus. [48771/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe policy of my Department is to promote the principle of inclusive education for children with special educational needs.
My Department, either directly or through the National Council for Special Education, provides for a range of supports in schools to enable them to cater for students with special educational needs, including Spina Bifida or Hydrocephalus. This may include additional Resource Teachers, Special Needs Assistants and specialist equipment, depending on a child's level of assessed needs.
Where children have such complex special educational needs which cannot be provided for in mainstream classrooms a special school or special class placement may be required. This is also provided for by my Department. Where children with special needs also require physical or sensory therapy supports, this support is provided by the Health Service Executive, and may be provided in schools.
In order to provide further assistance and information for parents and schools, the NCSE has published a comprehensive Information Booklet for Parents of Children with Special Educational Needs. This booklet provides information on the full range of educational supports available in schools for children with special educational needs and is available to access/download from the NCSE website. I understand it is the intention of the NCSE to produce individual information pamphlets deriving from this booklet for individual disability categories.
In general, all employers are required to have cognisance of the employment and equality legislation in relation to the employment of people with disabilities. I understand that FÁS also operates a Disability Awareness Support Scheme for companies employing people with disabilities, operated through their Employment Services under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection. The Deputy may wish to seek further information regarding guidance for employers in relation to the employment of people with disabilities, from the Ministers for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Social Protection.
64. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a decision on an application for a student grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly. [48786/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision on eligibility for new student grant applications from the 2012/13 academic year is a matter for the new centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland). Officials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that further supporting documentation was requested on 2nd October 2012 from the student referred to by the Deputy. When the documentation is returned to SUSI the student will be notified directly of the outcome.
65. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a decision on an application for a student grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly. [48787/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision on eligibility for new student grant applications from the 2012/13 academic year is a matter for the new centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland). Officials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that on 18th October 2012 an additional letter issued to the student referred to by the Deputy requesting supporting documentation. When the documentation is returned to SUSI the student will be notified directly of the outcome.
