Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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168. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when she will establish the Pensions Council. [42980/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013 provided for the establishment of a new body called the Pensions Council.

The Pensions Council will be made up of a chairperson and not less than 8 and not more than 12 ordinary members. The ordinary members are to include:

- the Pensions Regulator;

- a representative of the Department of Social Protection;

- a representative of the Central Bank;

- a representative of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform;

- no fewer than 4 and not more than 8 other members with specialist knowledge, skills or expertise.

The Pensions Council will provide an opportunity for experts from the pensions sector and consumer and pensioner interests to provide collective advice, information and assistance on the development of pension policy. The composition of the Pensions Council is intended to allow for comprehensive and complete consideration of pension issues.

A Chairperson for the Council, has been announced, but will not be formally appointed until the membership of the Council has been finalised. I hope to appoint the Council in the coming weeks, and an announcement will follow shortly.