Hanafin: No government bailout for private sector pensions

WATERFORD CRYSTAL workers, fearing for their pensions, received mixed messages from the Government yesterday about the possibility of assistance from the state.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen agreed to a request by the trade unions to have a special meeting with Tánaiste and Enterprise Minister Mary Coughlan next Monday to discuss the €100 million hole in the crystal company’s pension fund.

However, Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin said there would be no government bailout for any struggling private sector pension scheme.