Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 116: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has completed his consideration of the recent report he received from the Pensions Board, entitled, Special Savings for Retirement: Report on Mandatory Pension System; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20735/07]

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 118: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps he will take to fulfil the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government to ensure women are treated fairly in pension provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20804/07]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 145: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress made with regard to the commitment made in the Programme for Government to ensure that women are treated fairly in the social welfare code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20715/07]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 148: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps he will take to fulfil the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government to remove anomalies identified in the pension system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20803/07]

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 154: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps he will take to facilitate women forced out of employment due to the marriage rule to avail of contributory pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20812/07]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 164: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason for the delay in the publication of the Green Paper on Pensions; the date he will publish same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20772/07]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 169: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when he expects that the promised Green Paper on Pensions will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20734/07]

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 571: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans for long term pension provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19770/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 118, 145, 148, 154, 164, 169 and 571 together.

As the House is aware, the Government is committed to producing a Green Paper on pensions policy in accordance with the partnership agreement " Towards 2016". The preparation of the Green Paper follows a period of increased activity in the development of pensions policy, which has seen the publication of two major reports by the Pensions Board — the 'National Pensions Review' and 'Special Savings for Retirement'. These two reports built on the earlier report of the Board on the National Pensions Policy Initiative, published in 1998.

The Green Paper will take account of these reports and examine the situation in a much broader way to deal with issues raised in the partnership talks, such as the operation of the funding standard for defined benefit schemes, together with a comprehensive look at issues in relation to social welfare pensions which arise from time to time, both here in the House and in representations which I receive, including questions with regard to the pension entitlements of women.

The purpose of the Green Paper is not to recommend any particular course of action but rather to set out clearly the current situation and the implications, from an economic and social perspective, of various courses of action which have been suggested.

The Green Paper will set out the key issues and challenges now facing the Irish pensions system including: The demographic challenge; Issues in relation to the sustainability of the pensions system; Pensioner incomes and the contribution various elements of the pension system, including the social welfare system, can make to the adequacy of this income; Work flexibility in older age; The roles and relationships of social welfare, private occupational and public service pensions in the future; The role of tax incentives in the current system and their efficiency and effectiveness in supporting Government objectives in the area; The role of annuities and the operation of that market; The role of regulation including the charges levied by pension providers.

The publication of the Green Paper will be followed by a major consultation process aimed at building consensus on the future direction of pensions policy in Ireland. This process will culminate in the Government publishing a framework for long-term pensions policy. The framework will encompass proposals to deal with the various commitments in the Government programme in relation to both supplementary and social welfare pensions.

The publication of the Green Paper was delayed due to the General Election and the subsequent changes in Government. I too was anxious to take time to familiarise myself with the very complex issues involved. This process is now completed and arrangements are being made to publish the Green Paper. I expect to be in a position to confirm a publication date in the very near future.

At a general level, my Department is currently carrying out a technical review of the entire social welfare code to examine its compatibility with the Equal Status Act 2000 (as amended). The review will examine the schemes and services provided for in social welfare legislation and the administrative schemes operated by the Department. It will identify any instances of direct or indirect discrimination, on any of the nine grounds under the Act, including: gender, sexual orientation, marital status and family status that are not justified by a legitimate social policy objective or where the means of achieving that objective are either unnecessary or inappropriate. The findings of this review, and the conclusions in the social welfare pensions area arising from the publication of the Green Paper, will contribute to informed planning and policy making to ensure that the social welfare system reflects the needs and expectations of all citizens and is equitable in meeting those needs.