Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

[Deputy Richard Bruton.]
Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Cost of : Lump Sums Severance Pensions (per Loss of Pension Loss of
annum) Levy Superannuation
Payments
2014 €925,629 0 €238,898 N/A N/A
2015 €671,580 0 €144,065 N/A N/A
Pension Provisions
295. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide
details of the proposed changes to pension legislation pertaining to defined benefit pensions
schemes for print workers and the status thereof; and if she will make a statement on the
matter. [7919/12]
Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton): The Government has approved a
number of changes to defined benefit (DB) pension provisions in order to enhance the security
of members benefits and to increase equity in the provision of pension benefits between
scheme members.
It is proposed to reform and strengthen the Funding Standard by requiring DB pension
schemes to hold a risk reserve as a protection against future volatility in financial markets;
change how pensions schemes benefits are re-valued to ensure more equity between deferred
and current scheme members; grant powers to the Pensions Regulator to wind up a scheme in
very limited circumstances and provide for a more equitable distribution of scheme assets when
an underfunded scheme is wound up while at the same time continuing to prioritise the benefits
payable to pensioners.
The proposed amendments to the Pensions Act, 1990 are currently the subject of detailed
drafting considerations. The proposed changes will apply to all DB schemes and not just to
print workers who may be members of DB scheme.
Social Welfare Appeals
296. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review a case
in respect of a person (details supplied). [7995/12]
Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton): An application for domiciliary care
allowance was received on 15th December 2011. This application was referred to one of the
Department’s Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for the
allowance. A letter issued on 26th January 2012 advising of the decision.
In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds, the applicant may submit
additional information and/or ask for the case to be reviewed or they may appeal the decision
directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within twenty one days. The person concerned
has indicated that she intends to appeal this decision. As part of the appeal process, her original
application, along with any additional information she may provide, will be reviewed by another
Medical Assessor in the Department.
Pension Provisions
297. Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will
consider altering the pension system to allow persons unlock and use part of their pension
savings before retirement age as this would provide essential funds to complement budgetary
initiatives and help stimulate the domestic economy; and if she will make a statement on the
matter. [8142/12]
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