andMr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the Government published a Green Paper on a national pension scheme; if so, when; the consultations that have since taken place thereon; and if a decision has yet been taken on the matter.
Written Answers. - National Pension Scheme.
265.
A Green Paper entitled "A Nation Income-Related Pension Scheme" was published in October 1976. Submissions thereon were received from a large number of interested organisations and individuals and discussions were held with a number of the bodies involved. These included organisations representing employers, workers and the pensions industry. A further Green Paper entitled "Social Insurance for the Self-Employed", which included discussion of pension provision for the self-employed, was published in January 1978. Observations on this paper were received from interested parties and organisations representative of various groups of the self-employed.
In accordance with the second national understanding for economic and social development, a White Paper is being prepared setting out a new national pension plan for employed persons and the self-employed. It is expected that this paper will be published in the near future.