Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 December 2020
50. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the establishment of the Commission on Pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39998/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra52. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has met with the Pensions Commission since it was announced. [39991/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra64. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection if representation by trade unions and organisations that represent the elderly, women and farming organisations will be included on the Pensions Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40007/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra69. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has established a process or framework for consulting and involving representative groups in the work of the Commission on Pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40082/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 52, 64 and 69 together.
Last month, the Government approved the establishment of the Commission on Pensions in fulfilment of its Programme for Government commitment, and I was delighted to attend its first meeting last week, on Wednesday 25th November. The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” sets out how the planned increase in the State pension age next year will be deferred and it will remain at 66 years pending the report of the Commission on Pensions. The Social Welfare Bill to give effect to this measure was published last week, and the Government has set aside a provision of €221 million in 2021 to support this measure. The Commission's Terms of Reference includes the examination of sustainability and eligibility issues with the State Pension and the Social Insurance Fund. More broadly, it will also consider the issue of retirement ages in employment contracts and consider how the pension system can further accommodate carers, who are predominantly women. The membership of the Commission includes representation of workers, employers, civil society, academics and those with technical and policy expertise. In this regard, the membership also includes those with involvement in organisations supporting older people. I was keen to ensure that the Commission had strong female representation in its membership, and I am pleased that the majority of members – 6 out of 11 – are women. I am satisfied that the Commission, with its gender-balanced membership and extensive experience of social and public policy, is well equipped to grasp the potential impacts of any pensions reform options on affected groups, such as women, workers, and older people. The full details of the Commission's membership are available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/ff7a2-minister-humphreys-addresses-inaugural-meeting-of-the-pensions-commission/ As part of its work, the Commission has been asked to seek the views of recognised experts and representative/advocacy groups by inviting submissions and/or presentations. The exact mechanisms for this process will be shaped by the Commission in due course. While this Government is acutely conscious of the need to consider the sustainability of the State's finances, this is not the only consideration when thinking of the State pension age. The State Pension is the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland. It is extremely effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty. The Government is committed to ensuring that this remains the case. In line with the Programme for Government, the Commission will report to Government by 30 June of next year and the Government intends to take action having regard to the recommendations of the Commission within 6 months. I hope this clarifies these matters for the Deputies.
