Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if there are plans to introduce pension and PRSI changes, in view of the fact that the number of people over 65 is expected to double by 2050; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26675/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Green Paper on Pensions was published on the 17th October and sets out the key issues and challenges facing the Irish pensions system now and for the future, and some suggestions on how these might be addressed. In addition to the Green Paper, the Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund 2005 was also published and this provided important information and context that informed the development of the Green Paper.

A consultation process on the Green Paper is now underway and will run until about June 2008. Following the completion of the consultation process the Government will develop and publish a framework for long-term pensions policy. The objective of the process is the development of a pensions system that is both adequate and sustainable in the long-term. Decisions in relation to the design of the system and its financing will be made in that context.