Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 December 2018
567. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the stage plans are at to publish definite proposals regarding the new auto-enrolment pension scheme following on from the consultation process that was to feed into the decision making process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53919/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPensions reform is a Government priority. The ‘Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018-2023', which I launched in February 2018, details specific time-lined actions Government will take to reform our pension system. This includes the introduction, from 2022, of an ‘Automatic Enrolment’ retirement savings system, for those without personal retirement savings. This project timeframe reflects the scale of such a programme and its importance as being the most fundamental reform of the Irish supplementary pension system in generations.
A new ‘Automatic Enrolment Programme Management Office’ within my Department has started the work required to establish the evidence base which will inform future Government decisions regarding the design of the system. An Interdepartmental Programme Board has also been established to provide strategic direction to automatic enrolment.
In August, I launched a national consultation process and a ‘Strawman Proposal for Automatic Enrolment’. This is intended to help the Government in considering the operational structure and design decisions that it will need to be make. The Strawman is a high level draft intended to generate and prompt discussion and improve ideas and should not, in any way, be construed as a confirmation of what form AE will ultimately take.
More than 100 submissions were received by the 4th November closing date from employer and employee representative organisations, industry bodies, advocacy groups and interested individuals. My officials have met with many of these groups. I also chaired a number of public consultation seminars held in Dublin, Galway and Cork.
In addition, officials have provided a dedicated briefing session for members of the Oireachtas and also attended a special meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection to discuss Automatic Enrolment.
My Department is now assessing the submissions made during the public consultation process. In addition it is building further evidence through ongoing consultations, and it is sponsoring impact assessments. These need to be completed and conclusions drawn before Government can make definitive decisions regarding the operational and design characteristics for automatic enrolment so that the first members would be enrolled in the new system in 2022.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
