Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The introduction of a pensions auto-enrolment system is a Programme for Government commitment, and a key priority for me as Minister for Social Protection.

Since the publication of 'The Design Principles for Ireland’s Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System' in 2022, officials in my Department have been singularly focused on the implementation of the AE system, with the aim of having the first enrolments commencing in the latter half of this year. A dedicated project team is leading out on this work, which includes drafting the necessary legislation that will underpin it, designing the organisational structures and the technical system to operate it, and communicating this landmark reform to stakeholders and the public.

A number of major milestones will be reached early this year, including the publication of the AE Bill with initiation of the passage of this legislation through the Oireachtas immediately thereafter. In addition, the second phase of a procurement exercise for outsourced administration services will take place in the coming weeks. Paralleling this work, a procurement exercise for outsourced investment management services is at an advanced stage of development. Additionally, the first phase of a three-phased multichannel communications strategy is being rolled out. Following on from this awareness raising phase, there will then be an information phase and a launch phase later this year.

In implementing this policy of strategic national importance, the Department is being assisted by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and the Office of the Attorney General in terms of the drafting of the legislation. The cooperation of the Revenue Commissioners and the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform with regard to the putting in place of the administrative and operational processes is critically important.