Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:33 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the report of the National Pensions Board will be published.
Written Answers. - National Pensions Board Report.
Helen Keogh
Ceist:55 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Social Welfare the progress, if any, that has been made in consultation with the national pensions board in introducing a system of pro-rata pensions based on actual contributions paid as against the present system of average contributions.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 55 together.
The national pensions board is currently finalising proposals for its fifth and final report concerning the development of a national pensions system. Many complex issues are being considered by this board including eligibility conditions for entitlement to pension and pension rates. I expect to receive the board's recommendations within the next few months. Publication of the report will take place as soon as possible after I receive it, as happened with the four previous reports submitted by the board.