Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 278: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the national pensions framework; if she will agree to meet, at an early stage, national delegations who have a representative role; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11618/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Following the publication of the National Pensions Framework in March 2010, a technical implementation group was established to develop the legislative, regulatory and administrative infrastructure required to put the reforms announced in the framework into operation. The group is chaired by the Department of Social Protection and includes representatives from other key Departments and agencies. A number of subgroups have also been established and have advanced particular elements of the framework. Consultation is a key element of the implementation process. My predecessor hosted a consultation forum last year. Since then, my officials have been involved in a number of other consultation meetings with representative groups. Work in relation to the development of a new model of defined benefit pension provision is well advanced. A consultation paper outlining possible options has been circulated to a number of stakeholder organisations. I intend to meet those groups in the coming weeks to discuss their responses to that document. The implementation phase is expected to take three to five years. There will of course be further opportunities for consultation as the process advances.