THE mission statement of the Pensions Board, which was set up nearly fix years ago, is to monitor and supervise the administration of pension schemes, and where necessary to enforce compliance with the Pensions Act through the Courts. Monitoring and supervising pension schemes is multi faceted. It has to ensure that pensions are adequately funded and members' contributions safeguarded. The Board deals with suspected fraud cases and pursues such cases through the Courts, it also acts as an information conduit for pension fund members, trustees, pensioners, trade unions and members of the public on matters concerning their funds, and similarly it offers a wide range of guidance and professional advice to pension schemes. Trustee training is given priority by the Board.

Another function of the Pensions Board is to advise Government on new pensions legislation, mainly on the further development of pension provision here. The report of a national survey jointly commissioned with the Department of Social Welfare of supplementary pension cover of employees, the unemployed, the self employed and social welfare recipients is expected this autumn from the ESRI and should provide a clearer picture of pension cover in the State.

The Pensions Board's five year plan is likely to include investigating a number of issues for the minister, including the possibility of a compensation fund, the setting up of a pensions ombudsman, the extension of statutory pension preservation to early leavers for pre 1991 service; the statutory protection of the accrued rights of members remaining in a scheme; the encouragement of extension of pensions coverage to part time and other atypical workers and improved protection for members of defined contribution schemes.