Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

After a long summer it is nice to be back here with the Cathaoirleach, the Leader and colleagues. I could have waited a further week before returning, particularly as the Listowel races are in full swing However, life is not perfect.

Will the Leader make time available for a debate on the PRSI system? Will he request that the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, come before the House to discuss the dearth of information available to PRSI subscribers in the context of their entitlements, particularly in respect of what will be the ultimate level of their pensions? I do not refer here to what will be the amount of their pensions - there has been much speculation from the Cabinet with regard to decreases in this regard - rather my point relates to the fact that it is virtually impossible for an individual to discover, in the context of PRSI, what will be his or her pension entitlement at some point in the future. If an individual has a private pension scheme with any of the investment houses, he or she may contact the relevant organisation and seek an estimate - in view of the fluctuations, etc., it is only possible to issue estimates - of what will be his or her pension at age 65 or whatever. Such an individual can also seek advice on how he or she may further enhance said pension by increasing his or her level of investment, etc. It is not possible to obtain such information - on a one-to-one basis - in respect of one's PRSI pension. One will instead by referred to a multiplicity of websites. I have visited many of these and I am aware that one would need a doctorate in actuarial science in order to be in a position to understand the information on offer.

Last weekend, the Irish Mail on Sunday published a very good article by Mr. Colm Rapple in which this matter was highlighted. Given that people are so worried about both their futures and the amount of money they are going to have available to them, it is important that any individual who is paying a particular amount from his or her wages each week be in a position to know what additional contributions he or she should be making. It is possible to make such contributions. If a person loses his or her job or if he or she is self-employed, he or she can make payments on a form of credit basis. I have met a number of people who have retired and who informed me that if they had known they could have made X amount of additional contributions, they would now be in receipt of full rather than half-rate PRSI pensions. I request that the Minister for Social Protection come before us to discuss this matter, which is of legitimate concern to people.