Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

Extensive consultations on the proposed single public service pension scheme, which forms the main part of the Bill to which the Deputy refers, have taken place since early 2010 between officials of my Department and public service staff representatives. In particular, my officials have met to discuss the proposed scheme with the ICTU public services committee, which includes representatives of AHCPS, ASTI, CPSU, IMO, IMPACT, INMO, INTO, POA, PSEU, SIPTU, TUI and UNITE, as well as with the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, the Irish Dental Association, the Psychiatric Nurses Association and representative organisations for personnel in the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána. In total there have been more than 20 meetings between my officials and staff representatives in connection with the proposed single scheme.

As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I meet frequently with unions representing public servants and other workers. With specific regard to the proposed single scheme in the public service, following the publication of the Bill, I met last week with a deputation from the three teacher unions to hear their concerns. Consultations on the proposed new scheme have also taken place between my Department and other Departments, including by way of an interdepartmental working group which examined the issues arising prior to the original announcement of our intention to bring forward a single scheme in budget 2010.

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