I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 16, 17, 44 and 57 together.
The extension of social insurance coverage to the self-employed including farmers will be a major development in the social welfare system in this country. For the first time self-employed people will have an entitlement to a non-means tested pension and will no longer have to rely entirely on social assistance pensions. Furthermore, the extension will end the present unsatisfactory situation where a large block of the working population make no direct contribution towards the costs of pensions even though many are in a position to do so. In future self-employed people will be liable for contributions in the same way as other contributions and the overall costs of social insurance will be shared in a more equitable way across the working population. Finally, the extension will bring this country more into line with other EC countries in regard to social insurance coverage.
I have asked the National Pensions Board to examine all aspects of this issue as a matter of urgency and I expect to receive the board's report within the next few weeks. This report will include recommendations as to the level and range of pensions to be provided, the conditions for entitlement, the method of financing and the rates of contribution based on actuarial projections of emerging costs over a number of years.
When I have received the board's report I will be putting detailed proposals to Government for the introduction of the new system. Pending consideration of the matter by the Government it is not possible to provide any further details in relation to the new system at this stage.