Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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103. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the closing of the defined benefit pension scheme of the Central Remedial Clinic, given that some of the persons affected were previously Health Service Executive employees who were forced to have their then pension fund transferred into that of the Central Remedial Clinic; and to address the possibility that the executive take over the pension liability. [13678/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) is funded by the Health Service Executive under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004 and employs in the region of 287 employees. It is understood that 47 employees are members of the funded pension scheme in question.

Following receipt of information from the CRC in relation to the wind up of the scheme the CRC was requested, as a matter of urgency, to seek a viable alternative proposal in conjunction with the HSE. This proposal will then be submitted for approval to my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The latter is responsible for Government policy in relation to public service pensions. Pension schemes and pension terms for public servants generally require the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

The CRC has indicated that it will submit detailed proposals to the HSE shortly in relation to this matter.