Labour Transport Spokesperson has again asked Social and Family Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin to ensure that former SR Technics workers are included in the Pensions Insolvency Payment Scheme (PIPS) under the new 2009 Social Welfare and Pensions Act.

Deputy Broughan said, "SR Technics workers and the trustees of the SR Technics Ireland Pension Scheme have consistently asked to be included in the PIPS in order to make the reduced pension fund for the hundreds of former SRT employees go further and to help recover some of the lost benefits for all members.

"Minister Hanafin has written to inform me that according to the Attorney General she has no powers under the Employees (Employer Insolvency) Act 1984 to allow SRT pension scheme members to qualify for PIPS. However, SRT Pension Trustees have strongly argued that their participation in PIPS would require only a small legislative amendment to the 2009 Social Welfare and Pensions Act and would be completely cost neutral to the Exchequer.

"Minister Coughlan also wrote to me on the matter a few days ago and said, "As you are aware SR Technics is not currently being wound-up, it is therefore not insolvent within the meaning of this Act. You will appreciate that a company cannot be adjudged to be insolvent to suit one set of circumstances as this has much broader implications under e.g. company law. "

"However, I now believe that Ministers Hanafin and Coughlan should introduce an amendment to the 2009 PIPS Act to include workers such as the former SR Technics staff within the PIPS scheme."