Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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226. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of defined benefit pension schemes currently listed for employees under her remit; the number that are in deficit; her plans to consolidate any of these schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41288/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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There are 34 defined benefit pension schemes, for employees in the education sector, under my remit. One scheme is in deficit and my Department officials are working with the trustees and administrators of the scheme to address this deficit.

In general the Schemes under my remit, as is the norm in the public sector, are defined benefit schemes, which provides for a pension based on service and final pensionable remuneration. These schemes are unfunded pay-as-you-go schemes, the amount of pension benefit is defined in the Scheme rules and is not affected by investment returns. Scheme benefits are payable from monies voted by the Oireachtas, out of current expenditure.

The Public Services Pension (Single Scheme and Other provisions) Act 2012 provided for the establishment of a single pension scheme for new entrants, in general, to the Public Service on or after January 2013. While the Single Scheme is also a pay-as you-go scheme, unlike pre existing Public sector schemes, the benefits payable under the Single Scheme are calculated on career average earnings of the member.