Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The mediated agreement for former Waterford Crystal workers, which covers 1,774 scheme members, provides for the payment of:

(a) a tax-free once-off lump sum of €1,200 for every year of Scheme Service, not exceeding 40 years, plus

(b) payment of monies in respect of pensionable service which is payable from the normal retirement date of the scheme members (on a fortnightly basis).

To date 1,589 lump sum payments, (including payments to spouses of those with pensions adjustment orders) have been authorised totalling €42.4 million. Work is ongoing in the Department to process any outstanding payments of lump sums for those who have accepted the terms of the agreement.

During the Mediation on the Waterford Crystal Pension Factory and Staff Schemes it was agreed by the parties that a dispute resolution procedure would be set up whereby disputes in relation to individual cases would be referred to a dispute resolution process under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. The dispute resolution procedure is solely and exclusively for individual disputes concerning personal employment information particular to the individual used for the calculation of lump sums and monies in respect of pensionable service as set out in the letter of offer and/or deed of release including scheme service dates and calculations.

It is my understanding that the Dispute Resolution Officer is actively engaged in examining all cases which have been submitted to him and these will be acted on by the Department once that process is completed.

The finalisation of all aspects of the mediated agreement is a matter of priority, both for me and for the Department. I can assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to progress payments as quickly as possible.