Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 92: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Cork has been refused a pension by RTE on the basis that a person's pension, under its superannuation scheme, ceases in the event of remarriage or cohabitation; his views on whether such a provision is unfair and discriminatory; his further views on whether such a provision should be removed from all pension schemes as recommended by the Commission on Public Service Pensions; his further views on whether, if this recommendation is accepted, it should apply retrospectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19883/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department has not received any correspondence in relation to the case mentioned by the Deputy.

Regulation 127, paragraph 5.1(b) of the rules governing the RTE superannuation scheme provides that: a widow's pension shall not be granted or paid under the scheme — (a) if the widow was at the time of death of the member cohabitating with a man other than the deceased as man and wife; or (b) in respect of any time after the said death when the widow is remarried or is so cohabiting with any man.

I am aware of the recommendation of the Commission on Public Service Pensions referred to by the Deputy. I understand that in his reply to Question No. 84 on 1 June 2005 the Minister for Finance explained that a working group, chaired by his Department, was studying the recommendations of the commission and that this group is due to report by end November 2005. In the circumstances I would concur with the Minister for Finance that it would not be appropriate to comment further on the matter at this stage.