Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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38. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding community employment scheme supervisors and payment on retirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42087/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The terms of employment for persons employed as supervisors on Community Employment (CE) schemes are a contractual matter between the employer (CE Sponsor) and the employee (supervisor).

Employers (including CE Sponsoring Organisations) are legally obliged to offer access to at least one Standard Personal Retirement Savings Account (PRSA) under the Pension (Amendment) Act 2002. All CE sponsoring organisations were informed of their responsibilities under this Act at that time.

CE supervisors may also qualify for the State Pension at 66 years of age. If they have accrued sufficient PRSI contributions (520 contributions at full rate, equivalent to 10 years contributions) they will qualify for the State Pension (Contributory), which is not means-tested. In the event that there are insufficient contributions, the person may qualify for the State Pension (Non-Contributory), provided they satisfy the means test.

There is no legal obligation on employers to provide occupational pension schemes for employees.

The Deputy will be aware that CE supervisors are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector. 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. The Department of Public Expenditure & Reform (D/PER) confirmed this position to this Department in March 2015.

However, D/PER has reconvened the Community Sector High Level Forum and has arranged for this Department and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, together with both SIPTU and IMPACT, to meet at the end of November to discuss the issue.