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.

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

Is it the Minister's intention to make this a compulsory or an optional scheme?

The Deputy is anticipating legislation.

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.