Written answers

Tuesday, 28 May 2019

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Pensions Reform

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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464. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the recent progress in relation to the implementation of A Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018-2023; if she is satisfied that it is on target to be completed on time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22495/19]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The ‘Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018-2023’ represents an all-of-Government approach to reforming pensions in Ireland. The plan details 43 individual actions that, taken together, will modernise our pension system while continuing to target resources at those most in need. Given the wide breadth of actions included under the plan, action owners include three Government Departments, two Government agencies, a public body and some interdepartmental structures (where policy responsibilities span a number of departments).

In delivering on the actions contained within the reform plan, extensive consultation exercises have been undertaken with respect to a new Total Contributions Approach for calculation of the State Pension Contributory, the development of a new Auto Enrolment system for occupational pensions, and general reform and simplification of the existing pensions landscape. This level of engagement, and the subsequent collation and analysis of views, takes considerable time, both to allow people the opportunity to engage and subsequently feedback on proposals made. The time and effort expended on this analysis and consideration of options is invaluable to the deliberative process and is critical in ensuring optimum design of solutions that will follow.

In this context, the majority of actions set out in the Roadmap due for delivery within the plan's first year of operation have been completed or are at a very advanced stage of progression. I am also encouraged that the general feedback to date has been very supportive of the proposed reform measures and efforts will be continuing apace to implement these over the coming years in accordance with the Roadmap’s ambitious targets.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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