Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

On Monday the Government published a report on pensions that it had commissioned from the OECD. The report goes into great detail on pensions in this country. It recognises that, relatively speaking, there is a generous pension system in place compared to those in other OECD countries. It also recognises the importance of the continuation of the provision of such payments to prevent pension poverty here. However, it throws up many questions and raises many issues in regard to pension provision for people in the future. For example, if a person in private employment or self-employed puts money into a pension fund he or she is unable to have that money released if it is needed to keep the business sustainable. Many issues are raised in the report which is now with Government for consideration. The Minister with responsibility, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, has recognised that the current economic situation does not allow movement on this at present. Nothwithstanding that, I believe the issue is extremely important. Will the Leader ask the Minister to come to the House to debate and discuss this report with Members of this House and to provide clarity for people who are concerned about this issue? They are confused because there have been some instances where people put money into pension funds over many years only to discover that up to 50% of their money has been hived off by the companies who are supposed to provide the pensions.