Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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104. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding pensions for community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14672/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that the individuals concerned are the employees of private companies. In the circumstances, it is not possible for the State to take over responsibility for funding pension arrangements for employees of private companies, even where those companies are reliant on State funding. This position was confirmed by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform to this Department in recent weeks.

The provision of State funding for a CE pension scheme would result in potential claims from employees of other companies in the community sector. The State cannot afford this level of exposure to funding pension arrangements.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s position is that private companies contracted by the State to provide a service, including those in the community sector, must manage their expenditure pressures, including labour and pension costs, from within existing funding levels.