Vol. 413 No. 3
16 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has received the final report of the National Pension Board; when the report will be published; if the same retirement age for men and women will be recommended; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The National Pensions Board are currently finalising proposals for the final report concerning the development of a new national pension system. I expect to receive the board's recommendations before the end of December. The Government have given a commitment in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress to publish the report.
The board's report will deal with all aspects of the existing pension system including the appropriate qualifying age for retirement pension purposes for men and women.
Would the Minister give the House a commitment that it is not the intention, even if it is recommended by the National Pensions Board, to raise the age of retirement beyond 65?
I think that the Deputy is anticipating what might be in the report. The report is not available to me yet so I do not really know what is in it. If the Deputy puts down a question when the report is received — and we have made a commitment that the published report will be made available — then I will discuss any aspects of it with him.
I am sorry to stretch the point, but the Minister's predecessor said that he was expecting the report in October. It may not have arrived in October, but the former Minister has been quoted on the report and seemingly a question has arisen that a recommendation of the report could be to extend the age of retirement beyond 65.
I do not think that at this stage we can anticipate what will or will not be in the report. When we do receive the report — and it will be published — if there are any particular aspects of it on which the Deputy considers there needs to be action taken or which he want to query, then I shall certainly deal with him here.
