Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The introduction of a pensions auto-enrolment system is a Programme for Government commitment, and a key priority for me as Minister for Social Protection.

Last year, I published 'The Design Principles for Ireland’s Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System', which set out the new system in detail. It envisages that the enrolment of the first AE participants will commence in 2024.

A dedicated project team in the Department of Social Protection is focused on implementing the agreed design, which includes drafting the necessary legislation that will underpin it. Steady progress is being made by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, together with my officials, in the drafting of the Bill.

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection recently published its report on the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Heads of Bill to establish the AE system, setting out 21 observations and recommendations. I am considering these recommendations in the drafting of the Bill, but would note that several of them are already incorporated in the design agreed by Government for implementation in a later phase once the system is bedded in. Other recommendations cannot be accommodated as they would require considerable change to the design already agreed by Government. The completion of the Committee’s scrutiny of the Heads of Bill nevertheless represents an important step in the legislative process.

As a result of the progress outlined above, I expect to be in a position to publish the AE Bill in the Autumn and to commence its passage through the Oireachtas immediately thereafter.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.