More than 200 investigations are under way into construction companies that have kept money from employees earmarked for pension funds, it emerged today.

The Pensions Board is taking criminal proceedings against a company director of a company which is alleged to have taken money from employees and failed to put it into their pension scheme.

The Pensions Board has successfully taken a case to the High Court, applying for an order directing an employer to pay arrears of contributions to a pension scheme.

The Irish Pension Board have brought High Court proceedings against a construction company which it is claimed has failed to pay contributions of more than €180,000 to a pension fund on behalf of almost 200 workers over a 14-month period.