Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Self-employed people came into our current social insurance system in 1988 and, accordingly, such a person would have a maximum of 32 years of contributions when the total contributions approach becomes operational in 2020. Depending on the final determination of the number of contributions required in our new full State pension, this may pose a challenge for some of the people who will retire around that time. I set out this scenario in the consultation paper and it is possible that a transition period will be needed. I have also included a number of specific questions on this matter, including how we believe we should deal with it, how long the transition period should be and who should be included in the transition period. I genuinely hope that self-employed people log on and subscribe to give us their views.

As the Deputy noted, when we make changes to systems, there are normally winners and losers. I would like the system to be designed in such a way that there are no losers. I know that is exceptionally ambitious and will cost us but we do not want to change to a new system which leaves people behind with a bad taste in their mouths. I want everybody to appreciate that the new system we are moving towards is fairer than the current system. The proof will be in the pudding, however, and we must ensure the new system is fair and no one is left behind. Nothing is prescribed. We need to consider everyone's views on how best we can deliver a new model in January 2020 that will see us through the next generations.

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