Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2021
95. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if retired members of the CIÉ 1951 pension scheme were afforded any consultation or right to vote on the proposals recently agreed; if we will agree to meet their representatives to discuss their concerns on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27525/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra96. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if the 1951 pension scheme for CIÉ workers is in compliance with minimum funding standard rules; his plans to meet with CIÉ representatives to discuss the crisis in this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27526/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra98. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport if he will seek assurances from the CIÉ group that it will not engage in discussions or make any changes to the pension 1951 scheme until the outcome of the High Court application made by the trustees of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27579/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra101. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if the 1951 superannuation pension scheme for CIÉ workers is in compliance with minimum funding standard rules; if he plans to meet with CIÉ representatives to discuss this crisis in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27589/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra102. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the reason CIÉ excluded the non-union members from a vote on LCR22297 when it confirmed that would not be the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27590/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra103. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Transport if the 1951 superannuation pension scheme for CIÉ workers is in compliance with minimum funding standard rules; if he plans to meet with CIÉ representatives to discuss this crisis in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27591/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra104. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Transport the reason CIÉ excluded the non-union members from a vote on LCR22297 when it confirmed that would not be the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27592/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra105. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the reason CIÉ states that the 1951 superannuation scheme is €800 million in debt when the trustees have confirmed it is 102% of the minimum funding standard. [27652/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the reason that CIÉ has not used contingent assets to repair the deficit in the 1951 superannuation scheme balance sheet as per the 1994 agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27653/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra108. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to information that sets out that the 1951 superannuation pension scheme for CIÉ workers is compliant with minimum funding standard rules; his plans to meet with CIÉ representatives to discuss issues surrounding the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27663/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra119. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if the 1951 superannuation pension scheme for CIÉ workers is in compliance with minimum funding standard rules; if he plans to meet with CIÉ representatives to discuss the crisis in relation to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27809/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra120. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the reason that CIÉ excluded the non-union members from a vote on LCR22297 when the company confirmed that would not be the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27810/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra144. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Transport the reason CIÉ continually inform the public that the 1951 superannuation scheme is €800 million in debt when in fact the trustees have confirmed it is 102% of the minimum funding standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28029/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra145. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Transport the reason CIÉ has not used contingent assets to repair a deficit in the 1951 superannuation scheme balance sheet as per the 1994 agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28030/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra162. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will intervene in a superannuation dispute (details supplied). [28162/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra164. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Transport if he will seek an assurance from CIÉ that it will await the outcome of the High Court application by the trustees of the 1951 pension scheme before engaging in further discussions on the scheme. [28241/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 96, 98, 101 to 106, inclusive, 108, 119, 120, 144, 145, 162 and 164 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland.
The CIÉ Group has two pension schemes, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”) and issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees. Officials from my Department have regular engagement with CIÉ on matters relating to the corporate governance of the Group, including matters relating to the pension schemes.
Concerning the 1951 pension scheme, it is my understanding that this scheme does not currently meet the Minimum Funding Standard required by the Pensions Authority; and that members of the scheme were recently balloted regarding the Labour Court proposals which emerged on 23rd November 2020, with a majority of the members voting to accept the proposals.
I have therefore referred the Deputies questions to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
