I propose to take Questions Nos. 1255 to 1257, inclusive, together.
It is the responsibility of the employer to pay pension contributions on behalf of his/her employees to Pension Trustees. In the event that a company becomes insolvent and a liquidator or receiver is appointed over the company, claims for certain arrears of pension contributions can be submitted by the liquidator or receiver for payment under the Insolvency Payments Scheme.
The Insolvency Payments Scheme operates under the Protection of Employees (Employers’ Insolvency) Act 1984, as amended. The purpose of the insolvency payments scheme is to protect certain outstanding pay-related entitlements due to employees in the event of the insolvency of their employer. These include wages, holiday pay, sick pay, payment in lieu of minimum notice and certain pension contributions.
All such claims are subject to the conditions and limits laid out in the Protection of Employees (Employer’s Insolvency) Act, 1984 as amended.
Defined pension claims have been received in respect of some former employees of the company referred to by the Deputy. There are complex legal issues involved on which the Department is seeking legal advice. The matter is being kept under continuing review.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.