It is proposed to reply to Questions Nos. 273 and 274 together. The Commission on Social Welfare expects to have its very detailed and comprehensive examination of the social welfare system completed by March 1986. Its findings will be fully taken into account by the Government in planning the future development of the social welfare services.
The Government intends to publish its proposals for national pensions development in the form of a White Paper. The question of the relationship between pensions and earnings will be fully discussed in this paper, together with the social and financial implications of that approach. The issue of flexible retirement age is also being examined in detail in the context of the national pension plan.