Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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289. To ask the Minister for Finance the engagement he has had with NewERA with regard to pensions deficits at commercial semi-States within the NewERA remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12053/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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In the first instance all questions to do with the Commercial semi-states are a matter for the Minister with responsibility for the sector concerned. 

In the nature of participating with NewERA on departmental steering groups established to consider specific state asset disposals, officials from my Department participated in discussions and/or have been circulated with documents about possible defined benefit pension scheme deficits in relation to the following:-

1. Ervia (formerly Bord Gáis Eireann) amalgamated seven existing pension schemes some of which had deficits and some of which had surpluses into one consolidated scheme in advance of the sale of Bord Gáis Energy ("BGE").
2. The defined benefit pension scheme in Coillte.