Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 252: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a national pension awareness campaign has been planned for 2008/2009; the amount such a campaign would cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27814/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The National Pensions Awareness Campaign has been run by the Pensions Board on behalf of the Department annually since 2003. A total of €1million has been provided to support the campaign in 2008. The campaign has been very successful in creating and maintaining a high level of awareness amongst the general public in relation to pensions issues.

The allocation of resources for a campaign is reviewed annually in the context of the overall estimates and budget process. At this stage, no decisions have been made in relation to a campaign for 2009.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on the fact that by 2050, studies estimate that one in four people here will be over 65; if future pension entitlements are being planned accordingly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27815/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the needs of older people have been a priority for Government for many years and very significant improvements have been made in social welfare pensions. The rate of contributory pension has increased from €147.30 per week in 2002 to more than €223 per week in 2008 and the non-contributory pension has increased from €134.00 per week in 2002 to €212 per week this year.

As the House is aware, the Green Paper on Pensions, published on 17 October 2008, sets out a comprehensive discussion on the issues relating to both social welfare and occupational pensions. The purpose of the Green Paper is not to recommend any particular approach, but rather to facilitate a debate on the issues and possible approaches to future policy.

With regard to private and occupational pensions, the Green Paper discusses approaches for the development of the pension system, largely based on the conclusions of the Pensions Board in its two reports published in 2006, the National Pensions Review and Special Savings for Retirement. These discussions are in the context of criteria ranging from coverage and adequacy to competitiveness. The approaches discussed include maintaining the status quo, the use of SSIA type tax incentives in a pensions context, soft mandatory approaches and mandatory provision. A more prominent role for the social welfare pension in improving retirement income is also considered.

The consultation process on the Green Paper on Pensions has recently closed and the Government is committed to developing a new framework for future pensions policy by the end of the year.