Ms Jasmina Behan:

I can start by referencing the work of the pensions commission, which has tried to look at this issue of sustainability and putting the funding for demographic changes ahead of us and the associated expenditure pressures on a footing that would ensure that funding is there. The commission has offered a range of options of how that can be achieved looking at different elements that could contribute to that sustainability, which range from the PRSI changes, the pensions age and the concept of a permanent Exchequer contribution. Those options of how the funding might be secured to ensure sustainability is there for the future of the pensions system are now under consideration by the Commission on Taxation and Welfare.