Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 14 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 2

Written Answers. - Pensions Report.

Noel Treacy

Ceist:

58 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Social Welfare the progress, if any, he is making to bring forward proposals based on the recommendations of the National Pensions Board report of 1993 entitled Developing the National Pension System; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16758/95]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

The final report of the National Pensions Board Developing the National Pension System is a comprehensive report which is at present being considered within my Department. I intend to bring forward, in due course, proposals based on the recommendations of the report.

A number of proposals in the report have already been implemented. These include pensions to be paid to widowers on the same basis as proposed for widows — this was introduced with effect from October 1994; the conditions for homemakers to acquire pensions in their own right to be considerably eased — this came into effect in April 1994; full PRSI to be payable by all new entrants to public sector employments — this was introduced from April 1995; the earnings disregarded in respect of lone parent's allowance to be increased — this came into effect from July 1994 and a survey of occupational pension schemes to be undertaken — this survey, which was commissioned jointly by my Department and the National Pensions Board, is currently being undertaken by the Economic and Social Research Institute. A report will be available in the first half of next year.

The remaining proposals, which,inter alia, relate to a wider range of pro-rata pensions, require careful consideration before specific provisions are brought forward. I am not yet in a position to indicate precisely when these provisions are likely to be introduced.