Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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111. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update regarding discussions she has had with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in relation to required changes to give pensioners a voice in discussions involving changes to their pension scheme, which they currently do not have as former employees and are excluded from the State's industrial relations machinery. [39810/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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This matter is under active consideration by my officials who have engaged both with officials from the Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation and with the Pensions Authority in efforts to explore possible responses to the concerns raised.

You may be aware that defined benefit pension schemes are generally set up under trust. The trustees of such pension schemes have a fiduciary duty under trust law and the Pensions Act to act in the best interest of all scheme members. In addition, the Pensions Act provides for further safeguards to protect the interest of pensioners.

The issue of representation is being considered in the context of access to the industrial relations machinery and in the context of engagement with the trustees of a pension scheme. I expect that it will be brought to a conclusion shortly.