Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)

The reason the report has not been published is that it runs contrary to what was proposed by the Taoiseach at the recent Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis. The report is being concealed. How long has the Minister had the report? What does the report contain? Does it call for sharply increased PRSI contributions to finance the future pensions of an ever-ageing population? Was a similar warning issued in a report in 2002? What is the proportion of workers to pensioners? Is this steadily declining? In 2002, some 5.3 workers paid PRSI for every pensioner. What is the figure per pensioner now? Has it not declined?

Social welfare benefits are financed entirely from the social insurance fund. That is sacrosanct and cannot be touched. It was run on a significant surplus except for when Mr. McCreevy raided €635 million from it in 2002. There will be a surplus of €1.3 billion this year and the accumulated surplus will be approximately €5 billion. It will take more than this figure to finance future pensions according to the report in the Department. Deputies are entitled to ask questions to ascertain the position.

We are all committed to providing a pension of €300 per week over the next five years. Does that not require a significant amount of funds from the social insurance fund? If there is a decrease in contributions to the PRSI fund, can the Minister guarantee that the €635 million deficit will be financed by general taxation to ensure that commitments to pensioners and others are met? Is that the position or was this announcement, like many others at the Ard-Fheis, a surprise to the Minister? Was the Department consulted?

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