Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on a submission (details supplied) by the Retired Nurses Association, Kerry Branch. [43907/12]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection his views on a reduction in pension and entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43981/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 96 together.

The Revised Estimates for my Department provide for expenditure of nearly €6.26 billion on pensions in 2012 or 30.4% of total expenditure. The Comprehensive Expenditure Report, 2012–2014, published last December, provides for additional new expenditure reduction measures of €1,033 million over the next two years in the Department of Social Protection's budget.

This includes €540 million of new savings to be achieved in Budget 2013. Reducing overall expenditure in 2013 and beyond in line with these targets will be very challenging. The Government has not yet finalised its consideration of these matters. The level of expenditure on the pensions paid by my Department in 2013 will be announced on Budget Day.

In the meantime, I will be holding a pre-Budget forum tomorrow, 12 October, to which I have invited thirty five groups, including Age Action. I will listen carefully to their views and proposals in relation to the forthcoming Budget.