Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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120. To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 354 of 18 February 2014, when the ad hoc group on pensions last met; the persons who were in attendance; and the focus of the meeting. [9754/14]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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121. To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 354 of 18 February 2014, if the ad hoc group on pensions will hold an urgent meeting at the earliest opportunity to focus on the crisis in the IASS pension scheme in an effort to ensure the fairest possible resolution to the dispute for all affected and to avoid possible strike action ahead of St. Patrick's Day. [9755/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together.

The ad hoc group on pensions last met on 21 October 2013 to consider broad pension policy issues with a particular focus on the proposals which were subsequently brought forward in the Social Welfare and Pensions (No.2) Bill 2013. The Minster for Finance, the Minister for Jobs Enterprise and Innovation and the Minister for Social Protection attended the meeting of this ad hoc group.

Pension schemes in Ireland are generally set up under trust law. In this regard the trustees of a pension scheme must act in the best interest of all scheme members. The trustees of the scheme must also comply with the requirements of the Pensions Act 1990. You will appreciate that I cannot comment on the issues arising in a particular scheme. However, I understand that the trustees of the scheme are in discussions with the Pensions Board in an effort to agree a funding proposal to secure the sustainability of the scheme and with the industrial machinery of the State to secure a resolution to the difficulties this issue presents.