Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 333: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he is satisfied with the operation of the construction workers pensions scheme; if reforms are intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29433/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Construction Federation Operatives Pensions Scheme, was first put in place in 1965, and operates as a Registered Employment Agreement under the Industrial Relations Acts. There is a statutory obligation on employers to register eligible employees in the scheme and to pay the necessary contributions.

The scheme was reformed in 2006 after an extended review process between employers and unions operating in the industry and a new scheme, known as the Construction Workers Pension Scheme, was registered with the Labour Court on the 19th May 2006. Compliance with the terms of the scheme is enforced through the Construction Industry Monitoring Agency, the Labour Court and the Labour Inspectorate of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. My Department has no direct role in relation to the operation of the scheme. The Pensions Board has a role in relation to the scheme in so far as compliance with the various aspects of the Pensions Act are concerned, including provisions relating to the remittance of pension contributions to scheme trustees. The Board works closely with the scheme trustees and monitoring bodies to identify issues relevant to the requirements of the Pensions Act and to investigate any complaints that come to attention.