Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is not just a political choice or issue; it is an economic one because the failure to invest in certain areas has a long-term cost on the economy.

There are various views on where the pension age needs to go. The Taoiseach commented on this in recent weeks. Undoubtedly, if we assume a fixed number of workers in the economy over the medium to long term, then the cost to the State of pensions will be enormous. However, I feel labour force participation and how it may change or expand over time has been absent from the debate. I am particularly struck by the fact that the largest measure of unemployment pre pandemic was 17% or 18%. That was for people who would like to work but who were not actively seeking work.

Regarding the analysis of the pensions question, I wish to understand better the extent to which the council takes a view in respect of the number of workers effectively being fixed as a share of the population. Has modelling been undertaken in the context of significant increases in labour force participation in future years?