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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 Jan 2000

Vol. 513 No. 2

Written Answers. - Proposed Legislation.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

19 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the input, if any, he has had into the planning of the social welfare reserve fund legislation; if he will be involved in the passage of the Bill through Dáil Éireann; and if he will be responsible to Dáil Éireann for the supervision and development of the fund and for any future disbursements from this fund. [1919/00]

The introduction of legislation to give effect to the Government decision to set up a social welfare reserve fund, and a public service reserve fund, is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance. I would stress however, that I strongly support the proposal to pre-fund for future pension liabilities and my Department is represented on the technical working group examining the issues relating to the introduction of the necessary legislation. The development, operation and supervision of these funds are currently being discussed in this forum.

I would also point out that the establishment of an explicit mechanism to fund, at least partially, the prospective substantial growth that is expected to occur in social welfare old age pensions in the first half of this century as a result of changes in the age profile of the population, was recommended by the pensions board in their report on the national pensions policy initiative, published in May 1998.

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