Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise a few brief questions on specific headings. The Minister alluded to Vote 12 on superannuation and retired allowances in the context of Deputy Fleming's questions. Perhaps the Minister will avail of this opportunity to reassure us regarding the pension liability that the State is assuming for various agencies and bodies immediately outside of the public service, for example, the IPA, the ESRI and some universities. Will he confirm that each of these bodies is compliant with public service pay norms and that the pensions being paid are commensurate with the pension liabilities that would arise within public service payscales? We are still bruising from the HSE's lessons in respect of various hospitals where payments were in excess of public service pay guidelines. It would be the ultimate irony if we were also to assume a pension liability commensurate with the amounts paid over and above the appropriate public service pay guidelines. Will the Minister assure the committee that all pensions are in line with public service pension rates and that the agencies involved are paying salaries within the guidelines?