John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 11: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views, in view of the present high unemployment rates in the construction industry, on whether there is a need to amend the construction federation operatives pension scheme to encourage employment in this sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14060/09]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Construction Industry (Pension Assurance and Sick Pay) Registered Employment Agreement (REA) is an agreement reached between employers and trade unions representative of workers in the sector. The REA requires employers in the construction sector to become and remain a party to a contributory pension scheme approved by the Revenue Commissioners and sets out the conditions upon which pension and mortality payments are payable and the associated minimum amounts and benefits. The REA does not specify any particular pension scheme to apply but rather sets out the general criteria within which any such scheme should operate.

I have no function in relation to the negotiation of, or changes to, this REA or any other Registered Employment Agreement.

The Construction Workers Pension Scheme (generally referred to as CWPS) has been established on foot of the Registered Employment Agreement. The conditions upon which such pension, mortality and sick pay benefits are payable and the amounts thereof must not be less favourable than those which are set out in the REA.

The Construction Workers Pension Scheme is an independently run occupational scheme and I have no function in relation to its operation.