PENSIONS ? HAVE YOUR SAY

Following the publication of the Green Paper on Pensions which aims to promote debate on the challenges and options for the future of pensions in Ireland, the Department of Social and Family Affairs has announced details of a series of consultation seminars which commence on 28 February 2008. The seminars will give people the opportunity to discuss the issues involved and to make their views known.

As advertised in today's national papers (12 February), the seminars will run from 9.15am to 1pm between 28 February and 6 March in the following locations.

• Dublin – Thursday 28 February, Gresham Hotel, Dublin
  
• Waterford – Monday 3 March, Days Hotel, Waterford
  
• Cork – Tuesday 4 March, Imperial Hotel, Cork
  
• Tullamore – Wednesday 5 March, Tullamore Court Hotel
  
• Sligo – Thursday 6 March, The Glasshouse Hotel, Sligo

Those wishing to attend are asked to book a place indicating their preferred seminar location and area of particular interest i.e. social welfare pensions, private/occupational pensions or longer working/raising effective retirement age. ( Booking details below).

The Green Paper on Pensions, which can be accessed through the website http://www.pensionsgreenpaper.ie/, covers the background to the Irish pension system and a broad range of issues related to social welfare, occupational, personal, and public service arrangements. The demographic and sustainability challenges facing Ireland in the decades ahead are outlined and a number of scenarios and options are discussed. These include measures to address the sustainability challenge, maintaining the status quo, universal provision, increasing social welfare pensions, SSIA-type tax incentives and soft mandatory and mandatory approaches. Other elements covered include annuities, the role of regulation and issues related to work flexibility in older age.

Notes for Editor

Seminar places can be booked through http://www.pensionsgreenpaper.ie/, by emailing pensionsgreenpaper@welfare.ie, by writing to the Department of Social and Family Affairs at the address below or by calling (01) 704 3038 or (01) 704 3778.

Address: Green Paper Consultation
Pensions Policy Unit
Department of Social and Family Affairs
Áras Mhic Dhiarmada
Store Street
Dublin 1.

Written submissions on the Green Paper on Pensions are also welcome and can be made through the Green Paper website http://www.pensionsgreenpaper.ie/; by emailing pensionsgreenpaper@welfare.ie, by fax to 01 7043457 or by post, also to the above address in Store Street. Submissions received will be posted on the Green Paper website.

ENDS