25/05/2016

New Pensions Ombudsman Appointed

A new Pensions Ombudsman has been appointed to replace Paul Kenny who has retired from the role after 13 years, Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar has announced.

Ger Deering will take up the role of Pensions Ombudsman, which is to investigate complaints of financial loss due to maladministration and disputes of fact or law in relation to occupational pension schemes and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs). The Pensions Ombudsman performs these functions independently and acts as an impartial adjudicator.

Announcing the new appointment, Minister Varadkar said: "I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ger Deering as Pensions Ombudsman and I look forward to working with him over his term in office. I want to thank Paul Kenny for the service he has provided to the pension scheme members he has dealt with over many years.

"Pension reform is one of my priorities for the Department of Social Protection. Successful reform depends on the public and industry having confidence in the pensions sector, and the role of the Pensions Ombudsman is a key building block for public confidence."

It is understood that Mr Deering will also continue to serve as the Financial Services Ombudsman, following recent legislative changes that enabled the appointment of the Financial Services Ombudsman as Pensions Ombudsman.

Where the office of the Pensions Ombudsman is held by the Financial Services Ombudsman, no salary or remuneration is received in respect of the office of the Pensions Ombudsman.

(MH/LM)

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