Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2015
41. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the role she has had in her Department in the arrangements for the provision of pensions to former employees of Waterford Crystal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41059/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe mediated agreement for former Waterford Crystal workers, which covers 1,774 scheme members, provides for the payment of;
(a) a tax-free once-off lump sum of €1,200 for every year of Scheme Service, not exceeding 40 years, plus
(b) payment of monies in respect of pensionable service which is payable from the normal retirement date of the scheme members (on a fortnightly basis).
To date, 1,574 lump sum payments have been authorised totalling €42.1 million. Work is ongoing in my Department to finalise the payment of the remaining lump sums.
In tandem with this, officials of my Department are working on putting in place the administrative arrangements to facilitate the payment of monies in respect of pensionable service. Given that these pension payments will be in place for decades to come it is essential that appropriate operational and system arrangements are put in place for their ongoing maintenance and payment.
My officials have been in ongoing communication with officials of the National Shared Services Office of the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform, and with the Pay Master General Pensions Unit of the Department of Finance, to explore the various options to facilitate the pension payments. Arising from this, my Department is now in the process of developing a payroll solution to effect the payments.
