Defined Benefit Pension Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2015

Thursday, 19 November 2015

Ceisteanna (55)

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

55. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of defined benefit pension schemes currently listed for employees under her remit; the number that are in deficit; her plans to consolidate any of these schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41292/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The Pensions Board, the Citizens Information Board and the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman come under the aegis of my Department. All schemes are unfunded statutory schemes with ultimate responsibility for benefits vesting with the Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform as part of overall Public Sector pension arrangements. Accordingly no deficit arises.

The following are details of the schemes for each of the bodies listed above:

BODY	SCHEME	COMMENTS
Citizens Information Board	- Citizens Information Board Employee Superannuation Scheme - Citizens information Board Spouses’, Civil Partnership and Children’s Contributory Pension Scheme - Single Public Service Pension Scheme (Single Scheme)	Both of these schemes are in draft form and are being operated on an administrative basis pending formal consent from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform
Pensions Board	- The Pension Board Staff Superannuation Schemes (Main and Spouses’, Civil Partners and Children’s) - Single Public Service Pension Scheme (Single Scheme)
Office of the Pensions Ombudsman (This scheme applies to Pensions Ombudsman only – the rest of the OPO staff are members of the Civil Service Pension Schemes)	- Pensions Ombudsman Superannuation Scheme - Pensions Ombudsman Spouses’, Civil Partnership and Children’s Contribution Pension Scheme	Spouses’, Civil Partnership and Children’s Contribution Scheme approved by DPER and Statutory Instrument in process of being finalised

The civil servants in my Department are members of civil service pension schemes which are the responsibility of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.