Social Protection Committee to resume pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2022

The following witnesses are due to appear:

• Declan Bolger - Chief Executive Officer - Irish Life
  Oisin O'Shaughnessy - Managing Director, Corporate Business, Irish Life
  Teresa Kelly Oroz - Head of Public Policy, Irish Life
  Andrew Nugent - Head of Policy, The Pensions Authority
  Brendan Kennedy - Chief Executive Officer, The Pensions Authority
  Dr. David Begg – Chairman, The Pensions Authority
  Gillian Smith - Assistant Head of Policy, The Pensions Authority

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Denis Naughten said: “We welcome the opportunity to resume pre-legislative scrutiny of this important Bill with representatives from Irish Life and the Pensions Authority.”

“Pension coverage in Ireland is relatively low given the voluntary nature of occupational pension provision. According to the latest figures from the CSO, around half or 56% of workers have a workplace or private pension to top up the State pension whereas 90% of public sector workers have a pension."

“This disparity between workers in the private and public sector and projections for an increasingly ageing population means many people will face a lower standard of living once they retire."

“Successive reports have recommended automatic enrolment as a means to ensure greater pension coverage among workers. We look forward to discussing these and other related matters with representatives.”

Watch the meeting live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.

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