Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she has read the policy document recently published by the National Women's Council of Ireland entitled Pensions: What Women Want, a model of pensions that guarantees independence; if her attention has been drawn to the needs and challenges facing women here; if she will take steps to ensure that the issues highlighted in the document receive due attention and that these issues become a more important element of the debate on forming a new Government policy on pensions; the steps she will introduce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27919/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Green Paper on Pensions, published on 17 October 2007, 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 Government is anxious to ensure that as many people as possible can be accommodated within the social welfare pensions system, with due regard being paid to the contributory principle underlying entitlement to contributory payments and, in the case of non-contributory payments, the need to ensure that resources are directed to those who are most in need. Over the last 10 years, means tests have been improved and qualifying conditions for contributory payments made easier. The Green Paper includes a full discussion on the social welfare pension position of women and sets out, a range of reforms for discussion, including the use of universal entitlements and back-dating the homemakers scheme.

A consultation process commenced following its publication and submissions were invited on all aspects of the pensions system. Issues in relation to women's pensions were very prominent among the large number of submissions received, both from individuals and organisations. The policy document "Pensions: What Women Want" published by the National Women's Council of Ireland was also received and is included among the submissions on the website www.pensionsgreenpaper.ie dedicated to the Green Paper. I have read the document in question and, indeed, I met the National Women's Council of Ireland recently and assured them of the Government's commitment to developing a framework for future pension policy.

The consultation period has concluded and work has recently commenced on deciding on a framework. It is expected that the policy framework will be finalised by the end of the year.