Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am very concerned about the 40 years. Those who have insecure employment, returning emigrants and immigrants have gaps in contributions and the lead-in to the change of adding ten years will really affect anybody between the ages of 40 and 50 years. In that regard, I will ask all my questions now.

What are the changes in respect of voluntary contributions? The threshold for making voluntary contributions was raised from an income of €260 per week to €520 per week. If we were to see a change in the requirement, we would need to be absolutely assured that people could make voluntary contributions. I would be concerned if we saw a raising of the threshold. Can we be reassured that the threshold for making voluntary contributions will not be raised if people potentially are to be meeting new targets?

A question was asked previously on the indexing of the non-contributory pension. I welcome the indexing of the contributory pension, I would like an indication of the intentions in respect of the non-contributory pension in the future. Is it planned to index the non-contributory pension, perhaps at a slightly lower rate, so that there would be some level of a similar guarantee and predictability in respect of the non-contributory pension?

On the supplementary system scheme, how is it proposed to recognise care in the scheme? In terms of contingency funding and the backstop, if the market did not provide in the United Kingdom, I do not believe that we can expect that the market will provide in Ireland, given that market pensions have lost 30% of their value in one year in very recent memory. I think we can anticipate that we will need a backstop. Given that the supplementary pension system is coming through, is the Department in active engagement on the issue of marginal rate tax relief at present, which we know ties into cost? As mentioned, the troika recommended that we make changes.

Chairman:Senator.