Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2004
101 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the plans she has to put in place measures that encourage workers to remain in the workforce beyond retirement age should they so choose. [4030/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present just over 11% of our population are over age 65, against an EU average of 16%. The proportion of older people in our population will remain broadly at his level for the next ten years after which it is projected to increase rapidly to 15% in 2021, 19% in 2031 and 28% in 2056. In the circumstances, Ireland faces the same challenges in maintaining its pension system as most other developed countries; the only difference is that these emerge later in our case and we have more time to prepare and to learn from the experiences of others.
The root of the challenge facing pension systems is a reduction in the active workforce and an increase in the number of pensioners. In the circumstances, increased workforce participation amongst all sectors of society, including older people, has an important role to play in ensuring the sustainability of our pensions system.
While there are no plans to increase the normal retirement age beyond 65, nevertheless, it is important that we encourage and facilitate those who wish to extend their working lives. With regard to the social welfare system, the Government is already committed to removing the retirement condition associated with the retirement pension.
In addition, my Department is considering a number of measures in the context of an overall review of the qualifying conditions for old age, contributory and retirement pension. These include allowing people to defer receiving pension and receive an actuarially enhanced payment when they decide to claim.
Issues surrounding social welfare payments constitute only one aspect of the debate. In the key area of retaining people and skills in the workplace for as long as possible there is also an onus on employers to provide the conditions to enable the retention of older employees who wish to continue working beyond the normal age.
