Skip to main content
Normal View

Pension Provisions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020

Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Questions (960)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

960. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 248 of 21 November 2019, if she will provide a further update on the proposed changes of the pension scheme in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7648/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Total Contributions Approach (TCA), when it is introduced, is intended to be a fairer and more transparent system where the person’s lifetime contribution will be more closely reflected in the benefit received.

Consultation is a very important part of the development and design of such a new approach. With this in mind, a public consultation on the design of the TCA was launched on the 28th May 2018. A wide variety of stakeholder groups were invited to this launch. In addition, the consultation involved a number of workshops with representative bodies, and a briefing and Question & Answer session for Oireachtas members by Department officials in Leinster House.

The online consultation lasted for over three months and the Department received nearly 300 responses from individuals and organisations. Those submissions outlined the views of respondents upon a number of issues, including the number of years required for a full pension, provision for homecaring periods and for the self-employed.

Having carefully examined the outputs of the consultation process, officials in the Department are designing the scheme. It is anticipated that there will be significant recognition for homecaring periods in the new model. The intention is to bring a proposal to the new Government setting out that design.

Once agreed by Government, the Department would then set about introducing the reform by developing the necessary legislation, ICT systems, administrative processes, and crucially, a comprehensive information campaign for the general public. It is anticipated that TCA will replace the current Yearly Average and the interim TCA approaches for new applications for the State Pension at a future date.

I do hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Top
Share