Dan Boyle
Ceist:36 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the Government’s Green Paper on the future of pensions here will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15385/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 25 April 2007
Ceisteanna (14)
Freagraí ó Béal (5 píosaí cainte)
As the House is aware, the Government is committed to producing a Green Paper on pensions in accordance with the partnership agreement, Towards 2016. The Green Paper will be published when the Government has completed its considerations in this regard.
The preparation of the Green Paper follows a period of increased activity in the development of pensions policy, which has seen the publication of two major reports by the Pensions Board, National Pensions Review and Special Savings for Retirement. These two reports built on the earlier report of the board on the national pensions policy initiative, published in 1998.
The Green Paper will take account of these reports and examine the situation in a much broader way to deal with issues raised in the partnership talks, such as the operation of the funding standard for defined benefit schemes, together with a comprehensive look at issues surrounding social welfare pensions that arise from time to time in the House and in representations which I receive.
The purpose of the Green Paper is not to recommend any particular course of action but rather to set out clearly the current situation and the implications, from an economic and social perspective, of various courses of action that have been suggested. The Green Paper will set out the key issues and challenges facing the Irish pensions system, including the demographic challenge, issues in relation to the sustainability of the pensions system, pensioner incomes and the contribution various elements of the pension system can make to their adequacy, work flexibility in older age, the roles and relationships of social welfare and private occupational and public service pensions in the future, the role of tax incentives in the current system and their efficiency and effectiveness in supporting Government objectives in the area, the role of annuities and the operation of that market, and the role of regulation, including the charges levied by pension providers
Publication of the Green Paper will be the initial move in a series of measures that will culminate in the Government publishing a framework for long-term pensions policy.
The Minister, in the course of his reply, has managed to tell me the what, how and why, but not the when, which was the whole purpose of the question.
Well spotted.
He seems to have given a more fulsome reply to the question I asked in an earlier response to Deputy Penrose when he appeared to indicate that the Green Paper is completed and is before Government for consideration. Perhaps he will confirm that in a subsequent answer. If that is the case, does the Minister envisage early publication of the Green Paper? Given the Dáil is in its death throes, it may be inadvisable to publish it during a general election campaign. The Green Paper should be considered by the House in a proper and procedural way. What are the Government's plans in this regard?
The Green Paper on pensions is before the Cabinet and consideration is being given to its publication date. We have not yet completed our full consideration of the document but it is a fine work and will add enormously to the debate on pensions. It is a matter of judgment as to whether such a document should be published in the current political climate. I did respond to a request from Deputy Stanton on the publication date for the carers' strategy and subsequently cancelled it at his request. I am not saying I will do likewise with the Green Paper on pensions but I will give some consideration in the days ahead as to whether it might be wiser not to introduce such a document into a political campaign.
I have always maintained the pensions debate is an intergenerational issue that should not be mired in political controversy. I want a mature discussion on pensions so as to ensure people are entitled to a decent income in their older age. I am taking these matters into consideration as to whether the document should be published in the near future or left to another time.