asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in establishing a commission to report on State pensions as announced (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - State Pensions Commission.
800.
There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to establish a commission on social welfare and proposals on the matter will be submitted to the Government in the next few weeks. It will be the first time since the Department were set up that a commission will examine and report on the whole system of social welfare and make recommendations to the Government on the effectiveness of the system as it has developed over the years. The establishment of the commission will not, however, preclude any immediate improvements and reforms which might be considered necessary.
There is also a commitment in the Programme for Government to initiate a national income-related pension scheme during the lifetime of the Government. Much of the groundwork has already been done and proposals on this matter also, including the extension of social insurance to the self-employed, will be put before the Government at an early date with a view to publication of a white paper.