Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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253. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to create a Minister of State for pensions and retirement issues in the future as it is a policy area that covers at least four Departments and would enable the co-ordination of policy across these areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15332/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The appointment of a Minister of State is a matter for the Government under the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1977. The Department of Social Protection has lead responsibility for pensions policy.

However, given that pensions is an issue with broad implications, including across a number of Government Departments, there is an Ad Hoc Ministerial Group on Pensions, similar to a Cabinet Committee which is chaired by the Taoiseach. This ensures broad consideration of pensions policy and related issues as required.