Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Occupational Pension Cover.
- Occupational pension coverage and reform 9 speeches
About 40–45% of employees lack occupational pension cover, though they receive flat-rate social insurance pensions. Proposals for improved pensions are at an advanced stage, but actuarial work prevents a firm timetable; the Minister promises to pursue it urgently and does not address whether the scheme will be compulsory.
John F. O'Connell, Michael Woods, John Horgan, John Boland, Joseph Brennan
- Deputies’ eligibility for PRSI 4 speeches
Boland raises whether Members of the Houses can contribute to pay-related social insurance and states that Dáil Members are not allowed to do so; no substantive reply is given.
John Boland, Joseph Brennan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total number of Irish workers who lack any form of occupational pension cover and the plans, if any, to ensure that a basic standard of living can be maintained by these workers upon retirement.
Comment on this
On the basis of the best information available it is estimated that between 40 per cent and 45 per cent of employees are not covered by some form of occupational pension scheme. These employees are, of course, covered by the social insurance system which provides flat-rate pensions for old age, retirement, invalidity and widowhood. The need for improved pension provisions for all workers was considered in the Green Paper "A National Income-Related Pension Scheme". The preparation of proposals arising out of that paper is now at an advanced stage.
Comment on this
Could the Minister give some indication in time terms of when the legislative proposals to which he refers will be circulated to Deputies in the form of a Bill?
Comment on this
There are difficulties mainly in relation to the actuarial calculations. I am not in a position to control that element but it would certainly be my objective to have them concluded as early as possible.
Comment on this
Given that this is an important area, would the Minister do his best to ensure that a Bill will be circulated before the summer recess so that we can study it during the summer?
Comment on this
Since I am not in a position to fix a time, the only undertaking I can give at this stage is to pursue the matter as urgently as possible.
Comment on this
That is a much wider question than is on today's Order Paper. If the Deputy would like to put down a question on the possibilities of the scheme. I will be prepared to answer it.
Comment on this
Will the Members of both Houses be allowed to contribute to the pay-related social insurance scheme?
Comment on this
That is a separate question. The Deputy will appreciate that we could have endless questions on the subject.
Comment on this
The situation is that Members of the Dáil are not allowed to contribute to the pay-related social insurance scheme.