To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update regarding discussions she has had with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in relation to required changes to give pensioners a voice in discussions involving changes to their pension scheme, which they currently do not have as former employees and are excluded from the State’s industrial relations machinery. – Clare Daly.
Question No: 111 Ref No: 39810-14
To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update regarding discussions she has had with the Minister for Jobs Enterprise and Innovation in relation to required changes to give pensioners a voice in discussions involving changes to their pension scheme, which they currently do not have as former employees and are excluded from the State’s industrial relations machinery. – Clare Daly.
For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 21st October, 2014.
R E P L Y
Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection (Joan Burton T.D):
This matter is under active consideration by my officials who have engaged both with officials from the Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation and with the Pensions Authority in efforts to explore possible responses to the concerns raised.
You may be aware that defined benefit pension schemes are generally set up under trust. The trustees of such pension schemes have a fiduciary duty under trust law and the Pensions Act to act in the best interest of all scheme members. In addition, the Pensions Act provides for further safeguards to protect the interest of pensioners.
The issue of representation is being considered in the context of access to the industrial relations machinery and in the context of engagement with the trustees of a pension scheme. I expect that it will be brought to a conclusion shortly
ORAL question for answer on 21/10/2014 :
To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she is satisfied with the appeals process in relation to complaints against the JobBridge scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. – Clare Daly.
Question No: 89 Ref No: 39811/14
To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she is satisfied with the appeals process in relation to complaints against the JobBridge scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
– Clare Daly.
* For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 21st October, 2014.
R E P L Y
JobBridge is an administrative scheme on which participation is voluntary and, accordingly, there is no formal appeals process.
However, there are complaints and queries procedures which interns, host organisations and other interested parties may use to raise any concerns that they may have with regard to the operation of the scheme.
All complaints and queries, are processed through the Department’s standard complaints procedure, under which all complaints are logged and actions recorded centrally. I am satisfied with the process works efficiently and effectively and that complaints are dealt with expeditiously.
In addition, the Department applies a rigorous quality management and compliance regime in respect of JobBridge. There are criteria in relation to the duration of internships and the non-displacement of paid positions as well as the inclusion of training and mentoring in internships.
Compliance is enforced through submission of monthly compliance statements by all host organisations and by random onsite inspections. About 8,000 such inspections have been conducted to date.
Inevitably, given the level of interest in and use of the scheme, a small number of internships which may not meet the strict criteria pass through the screening process. Where this happens and the matter is brought to its attention, the Department acts quickly to withdraw such internships.
In this regard, the Department’s random inspection regime indicates the incidence of non-satisfactory internships is very low. Approximately 97% of all JobBridge inspections are found to satisfy the requirement of the scheme. Just 44 host organisations out of approximately 15,000 who have hosted interns have been excluded from further use of the scheme.