Opening the debate on the report of the Clergy Pensions Board at the General Synod 2010, Canon Lady Brenda Sheil (Down) (Click here for speeches) noted that the triennial valuation of the fund conducted by An Bord Pinsean in September 2009 showed "an actuarial deficit under the Minimum Funding standard of €43 million."  

Referring to the debate at General Synod on Bill Number 1 she said that the creation of the concept of 'pensionable stipend' in the context of the bill "is an essential part of the Funding Proposal to secure the viability of the Fund by 2019."

Seconding the report, the Revd John McDowell (Down) referred to the proposed setting up of an Internal Disputes Resolution Procedure in Bill number 1. He commented, The revision has been made to bring the administration of the Scheme into compliance with civil law, in that the Pensions Ombudsman cannot consider a complaint until it has first exhausted the process of an Internal Disputes Procedure." The new provision he added, also makes the method of resolving disputes efficient and transparent."

The Revd Andrew Forster (Armagh) commended the hard work done by the pensions board. He said, “we are blessed to have such a committed group of people who use all their best efforts to protect that scheme...as a member of that scheme it would be wrong of me to let it pass without acknowledging that.” Lady Shiel responding thanked the Revd Andrew Forster for his kind words. She said it was a privilege to chair the Clergy Pensions Board. “It’s well worthwhile doing as much as one can to support those who’ve served our Church so well for so long.”

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