Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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35. To ask the Minister for Social Protection regarding the recent OECD report, OECD Reviews of Pensions Systems: Ireland, which recommended the introduction of mandatory pensions, if her Department has undertaken any comparative analysis of different options, that is, an auto enrolment option as oppose to mandatory pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46471/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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As a result of changing demographics, the adequacy and sustainability of the Irish pensions system has become an increasing concern in recent years. With improvements in life expectancy, more people are living to pension age and living longer in retirement. Given these changing demographics and the incrementally upward pressure of pension provision on State finances, there is a need to encourage a long-term savings habit by individuals to supplement income from the State pension for those who will otherwise not be in a position to enjoy standards of living in retirement similar to those in pre-retirement.

The key recommendation of the OECD Review of Irish Pension System, a report I commissioned and which was completed in 2013, was to improve the adequacy of pensions by increasing coverage in the funded part of the pensions system through a universal mandatory or quasi-mandatory employment based pension system.In line with this recommendation and with the Programme for Government, the 2014-2016 Statement of Prioritiesconfirmed that during 2015 the Government will agree a roadmap and timeline for the introduction of a new, universal supplementary pension saving scheme.

The constituent factors involved in constructing an efficient and effective universal pension system are complex and diverse and it is of critical importance that any system chosen is correctly designed.

Therefore, development of the roadmap will involve detailed consideration of the range of models and options available and will include co-operation across a range of Government Departments and engagement with all sectoral interests.