Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)

I thank Mr. Duggan for his presentation. I welcome the principle of auto-enrolment. When this was being formulated, and it was in gestation for some time, were there communications with IBEC or small businesses? Those of us who come from rural areas will always think of the additional costs on companies. The interesting thing about this scheme is that I have not heard too many complaining. I hope that is a good sign and that they want to be part of it because if their staff are happy, it is a good reflection on the company.

I welcome the additional jobs for Letterkenny. It brings me back many years when I turned the first sod on behalf of Dr. Michael Woods, who was Minister for social welfare at the time, when the building that is there now was built. How many jobs will be created in Letterkenny if additional facilities are required? What will be the grades of those jobs? Will it be largely clerical officers or executive officers? Will a new panel be established nationally or is there a significant number on the panel at the moment to be able to draw down from that?

Auto-enrolment is important for those who would not have had a pension otherwise. To take a hypothetical case, for someone aged 55 at the moment who is faced with only the non-contributory old age pension, at what stage will that person be in a position to avail of the full pension if he or she buys into this system?