Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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110. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the initiatives that the Pensions Council plans to undertake in 2015 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14760/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013 provided for the establishment of the Pensions Council. Its function is to advise the Minister for Social Protection on matters of relevance to pensions, with a particular focus on policies to support the sustainability and adequacy of pension provision. Its work will be advanced through discussion and research on pension policy development, either in terms of reports on the overall direction of pension policy, or more discrete pieces of work examining particular subject areas. It is an independent body, and I understand it intends to make its reports and recommendations publicly available.

The first meeting of the Pensions Council took place on the 25^thMarch 2015. I have asked that the matter of pension charges be a priority item for consideration and I understand that the Council will commence consideration of this matter shortly.