Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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710. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the State pension transition payment will be introduced. [21896/20]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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714. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on the State pension age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21900/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 710 and 714 together.

The Programme for Government commits to introducing a Retirement Payment for 65 year olds paid at the same rate as Jobseeker's Benefit without a requirement to sign on, partake in any activation measures or be available for and genuinely seeking work. I wish to assure the Deputy that I have made the introduction of the new Retirement Payment an immediate priority for my Department. The new payment will be introduced as early as possible for those who are retired from employment. Officials in the Department are currently considering the design of the scheme and assessing the necessary legislation, ICT system requirements and administrative processes required to support the introduction of this payment.

The public policy and social issues in relation to funding a sustainable and adequate State pension system are complex. Therefore, a Commission on Pensions will be established to examine a range of issues including contributions, calculation methods, sustainability, eligibility and intergenerational fairness. The Terms of Reference for the Commission on Pensions are currently being developed and options for its membership are being considered. Proposals will be brought to Government in that regard as soon as possible. Once it has concluded its deliberations, the Commission will report to Government by June of next year.

In the meantime, the Programme for Government also sets out how the planned increase in the State pension age next year will be deferred and it will remain at 66 years pending the report of the Commission on Pensions. I will introduce legislation later this year to do that.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.