Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 320: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the four years of service with Bord na Móna are reckonable with the pension scheme for teachers with the Department of Education and Science (details supplied). [2916/04]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The position regarding service as an apprentice or tradesman with Bord na Móna is that it has not been possible to reckon such service for purposes of a pension with a vocational education committee as the pension scheme designated for tradesmen and manual workers generally in Bord na Móna, that is, the regular works employees' superannuation scheme, is not approved by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for purposes of a transfer of service under the local government transfer network.

Following the transfer of pension functions of VEC employees from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to my Department and following consultation with the Department of Finance, it has recently been agreed that VECs are to become members of the public sector transfer network.

Steps are now being taken to put this agreement into effect. When the necessary arrangements in this regard have been made, it will be possible for service given as a Bord na Móna tradesman or manual worker to be transferred to and from VECs. My Department will then notify all VECs of the position and will make direct contact with the person referred to by the Deputy.