Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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1149. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the auto-enrolment pension will be classified as an occupational pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57778/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The introduction of a pensions auto-enrolment system is a Programme for Government commitment, and one of my key priorities. The aim of introducing an AE system is to address the pension coverage gap that exists in Ireland, and to help provide for better retirement incomes for workers. The new system - to be known as My Future Fund - will commence from 1st January 2026. The implementation of My Future Fund will pave the way for around 800,000 workers to be brought into a retirement savings scheme for the first time and I look forward to its implementation.

My Future Fund is not an occupational pension scheme as defined in the Pensions Act 1990 (as amended) and the European Union (Occupational Pension Schemes) Regulations 2021. Such schemes come within the meaning of the term used in EU law as ‘institution for occupational retirement provision’, or ‘IORP’. Such schemes operate as institutions established on a funded basis for the purpose of providing retirement benefits in the context of an occupational activity and on the basis of an agreement or a contract agreed individually or collectively between an employer and their employees or their respective representatives. Given that My Future Fund is statutorily established on the basis of the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Act (2024) and as it applies to multiple occupational activities without the sponsorship of an employer, the new automatic enrolment scheme does not align with the definition of an IORPs. Irrespective of this, the Automatic Enrolment Act confers on My Future Fund a specific set of provisions that are akin to those applied to IORP schemes and which are designed to protect participants as they save for their retirement.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.