Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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59. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on measures she is taking to address the cuts to deferred Irish aviation superannuation scheme pensions; if she will meet with the group representing affected persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17246/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I am very aware of the issues and negative consequences arising from the funding difficulties in this scheme. Indeed, many defined benefit pension schemes have encountered funding difficulties in recent years and are working with the Pensions Authority to respond to the difficulties in a manner which will secure the sustainability of pension provision for scheme members.

A number of legislative changes have been put in place in recent years to assist employers and the trustees of pension scheme respond to the funding difficulties encountered by some schemes. You will appreciate that it is not appropriate for me to comment on matters arising in a particular scheme as these are primarily a matter for the Trustees of the scheme, the companies participating in the scheme, the scheme members and the Pensions Authority.

I did meet with the deferred IASS Committee to discuss the matters raised by the Committee and specifically the proposals that more funding be made available for the longer serving deferred members. I subsequently met with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and I understand that the Minister engaged further with the employers on the matter.