Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the pension benefits accruing to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and their entitlements under the pension scheme. [28774/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In 2006 I introduced, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, pension arrangements for caretaking staff employed under the 1979 Employment Scheme in Primary Schools. These arrangements provide that membership of the superannuation scheme will be effective from 1 September 2001 in the case of eligible caretakers in service at that time. The pension scheme will be a contributory, defined benefit scheme and will provide standard public service pension benefits.

Arrears of contributions will be payable in respect of the period from 1 September 2001 to 6 March 2006 when payment of ongoing contributions from salary commenced. In accordance with standard public service arrangements, there is provision for reckoning service given prior to 1 September 2001 subject to verification of the service concerned and payment of appropriate contributions.

The person in question is currently in service and paying pension contributions. A statement of reckonable service, contributions payable in respect of arrears and prior service and benefits that will accrue is being prepared in my Department. This will issue directly to the person concerned as soon as all the details are finalised.