Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason she will not conduct and publish a cost-benefit analysis of using the PRSI system not only to collect the auto-enrolment pension contributions that are proposed by the national pensions framework but also to manage that money and make payments rather than handing those responsibilities over to the private pension industry in view of the inefficiencies that are typical of it. [15329/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Increasing pensions coverage, particular amongst the lower paid and those with gaps in their employment, is a priority for the Government. The introduction of an auto-enrolment system is one of the best ways in which we can do this. An inter-departmental/agency group, chaired by the Department of Social Protection is developing the legislative, regulatory and administrative infrastructure required to introduce a number of pension reforms in the National Pensions Framework, including auto-enrolment.

It is envisaged at this stage that contributions for an auto-enrolment system will be collected through the PRSI system. In developing the various aspects of the system we will of course be considering the costs and benefits associated with the options available. There will be a limited number and limited types of funds available under the scheme. The Government will decide how these participating investment funds will be selected and managed. It is expected that a competitive process will be run by the State which will also ensure that charges are kept to a minimum. The competitive process won't necessarily be confined to the private sector. It could include State organisations such as, e.g., the NTMA. No decision has been made as yet. It is intended that the auto-enrolment scheme will be introduced in 2014 but only if it would be prudent given the economic conditions prevailing at that time.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she consulted representatives of the pension industry prior to the jobs initiative. [15363/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to resource a Jobs Initiative within the first 100 days of the start of the Government's term in office. These measures are intended to assist in employment generation, provide opportunities for those who have lost their jobs, and thus generate confidence in the economy. We delivered on this promise with the announcement of this initiative on 10 May. The various tax reduction and additional expenditure measures associated with the Jobs Initiative are being funded by way of a temporary levy on funded pension schemes and personal pension plans, provided for in legislation in the Finance Bill, 2011. The development of these proposals, including any consultation, was dealt with by the Department of Finance.