David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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312. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the Waterford Crystal pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17315/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The mediated agreement for former Waterford Crystal workers covers 1,774 members of the Waterford Crystal Pension Factory and Staff Schemes. During the mediation process 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 has examined all cases which have been submitted to him. The Department has not received any recommendation from the Dispute Resolution Officer in relation to the named person. Any change in the terms of the offer made to any individual, which were based on the records of the Administrator of the schemes, can only be made on the provision of documentary evidence to the increased entitlement claimed. I understand that the Administrator examined this case thoroughly and found no evidence of a normal retirement age of 63 applying.

The finalisation of all aspects of the mediated agreement is a matter of priority, both for me and for the Department.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.