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Pensions Council

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021

Wednesday, 28 April 2021

Ceisteanna (638)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

638. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the decision by the Pensions Commission not to publish the submissions it received during its recent public consultation on State pensions; the reason for the Pension Commission’s decision not to make public the submissions as would be common practice given that the decision could undermine the work of the Commission; and if she will call on the Commission to immediately publish the submissions for the purpose of transparency and confidence in its work. [21244/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I was pleased to establish the Pensions Commission in November last year, in fulfilment of a Programme for Government commitment.  The Commission has held 10 meetings so far, and hosted a virtual Stakeholder Forum last week on April 21st.

The Pensions Commission’s public consultation process, 'Have your Say on Sustainable State Pensions into the future', ran from 9th February to 9th March 2021 inclusive.  The Commission asked interested individuals and organisations to send in written submissions by post or by email, or to respond to an online survey.  As noted on the Commission's website, pensionscommission.gov.ie, over 200 individual and organisational submissions and over 1,100 survey responses were received.  

The purpose of the public consultation process is to inform the Commission's work, including its deliberations on recommended reform options as per its Terms of Reference.  In keeping with common practice for independent bodies of this nature, I understand that the Commission will first complete its analyses of findings, conclude its deliberations and submit its final report to Government before publishing submissions on its website as it deems appropriate. 

The submissions made by the organisations that spoke at the virtual Stakeholder Forum (Age Action, ESRI, Ibec, ICTU, National Women's Council of Ireland and SpunOut) are all available on the Commission's website.  Some organisations published their submissions on their own websites and accordingly these are also in the public domain. 

In accordance with its Terms of Reference, the Commission is due to submit a report on its work to me by 30 June 2021.  The Government intends to take action having regard to the recommendations of the Commission within 6 months of receipt of the report. 

I trust this clarifies this matter for the Deputy.

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