Batt O'Keeffe
Question:102 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his Department has carried out a survey on the cost of looking after the long-term care and needs of the elderly into the next century. [18448/95]
Written Answers. - Care of Elderly.
I understand that the Deputy is referring to the issues regarding the ageing of the population. On a number of occasions recently I have drawn attention to the demographic patterns which indicate a considerable increase in the proportion of elderly people in the population over the first half of the next century. This will have a significant impact on the future costs of social welfare pensions, which are set to increase by some 100 per cent by the year 2035. At the same time, the ratio of persons in the economically active age group to those over age 65 is projected to fall. This would result, in the absence of any policy change, in the increasing burden of the cost of pensions falling on future generations of PRSI contributors and taxpayers.
These are important factors in any consideration of the development of future pension arrangements and the SIF and require us to consider the capacity of the present financing arrangements to meet these emerging costs. The pensions industry is also placing considerable emphasis on this issue at present. One aspect which needs to be examined further in this regard is the effect of real long-term growth in the economy. If this is maintained, it should increase the resources available to pay for pensions in the future; although as the Deputy will appreciate, there will be many competing claims for any resources freed up as a result of this growth. I am examining the reports on this area at present.
The final report of the National Pensions Board ‘Developing the National Pension System' raised and considered these issues. This report is being considered within my Department at present and I intend to bring forward proposals based on the recommendations of the report.
In this context, a major survey of occupational pension schemes, which was recommended by the National Pensions Board, has been commissioned jointly by my Department and the pensions board and a report will be available in the first half of next year. The last major survey was carried out in 1985 and the results of this new survey will give essential up to date information on occupational cover, which will be of considerable assistance when proposals in relation to pensions are being formulated.
I have also stated frequently that demands to abolish or significantly reduce income to the social insurance fund are short-sighted given the demands which are currently being placed on it and which will grow in the years ahead. We must preserve the principle of solidarity embodied in the PRSI system if we are to guarantee pensions needed in the future due to the ageing of the population.
I would like to stress that there is no danger to anyone's current pension entitlement. However, as I pointed out earlier this is an issue which we cannot afford to ignore. Provided we face up, over the next few years, to the needs which we know will arise because of the demographic changes, we can plan to deal with them in an orderly and effective way.