Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome that in his response the Minister of State has given a commitment that payments will be made in late November or early December to the relatives or personal representatives of deceased scheme members. There are approximately 250 such cases to be dealt with. However, the Minister of State can understand what it must be like for the remaining workers who have reached pension age. They cannot plan because they do not know when the money is going to come to them. How long is a piece of string? Are we talking about this calendar year or next year?

I appreciate that a lot of wheels have to be put in motion while trying to get people to work together. I believe this is a priority for the Department of Social Protection, but is it a priority for other Departments? That is my concern because these people's lives have been put on hold. They pressed a pause button when Waterford Crystal and the pension scheme became insolvent. Many households have suffered anguish and worry because they have not been able to plan. I could tell the Minister of State very personal stories of people trying to meet medical bills or putting off weddings. People have not been able to get on with their lives.

I am not prepared to be fobbed off and told it will happen in the coming months. These workers deserve to know what is happening. I realise the Tánaiste has worked very hard on this matter. As a local Deputy, however, I cannot go back down to Waterford this weekend without better information than that. I am sorry but I need answers.

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