Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am only aware of the claim involving the Waterford Crystal pensions scheme, but I will seek clarity and information for the Deputy. The indications from the officials present is that they, too, are aware of only one case.

I cannot provide a figure for liabilities. Liabilities that may arise will be limited to schemes where the wind-up of a scheme took place between 25 January 2007, the date of the European Court of Justice ruling in the Robins case, and 25 December 2013, the day on which the Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill was enacted. I do not have information to hand on what will be the likely cost. The amendment is necessary to enable the State to pay liabilities that arise as a result of the ongoing mediation process. As I stated, the only scheme of which I am aware involves the Waterford Crystal pensioners. We are dealing with this scheme, which is in mediation.

While I accept the position is very difficult for former workers of Waterford Crystal, people in Waterford will have been encouraged by the announcement a couple of weeks ago that Waterford Crystal wished to take on apprentice glass blowers. It is fantastic that the glass industry is being reborn in Waterford as the city is an unemployment black spot. It is nice that a prestige brand such as Waterford Crystal is making a comeback.

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh probably did a school tour of the Waterford Crystal factory as a boy.

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