779 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Education and Science if an application for an old age scheme by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 will be approved; the steps he is taking in order that this person will be admitted to this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26329/01]

I understand that the case referred to by the Deputy concerns a contributory pension scheme introduced in 1980 for the category of employee to which the person in question belongs. Existing employees were given the option of joining the scheme. However, the person referred to by the Deputy did not avail of the option. The position is that there is no provision at present under the terms and conditions of the scheme whereby an employee who has contracted out of the scheme can at a later stage be admitted as a member of the scheme.