Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
1580. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the feedback his Department has received to date from businesses that are partaking in the auto enrolment pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1776/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1581. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the feedback his Department has received to date from employees that are partaking in the auto enrolment pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1777/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1580 and 1581 together.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce the Automatic Enrolment (AE) Retirement Savings System. The aim of introducing AE is to address the pension coverage gap that exists in Ireland and to provide workers with access to a quality assured retirement savings scheme, thereby giving greater comfort and security regarding their retirement income.
The new system - known as My Future Fund - commenced on the 1 January 2026.
Over 760,000 employees that weren't actively contributing to a qualifying pension or PRSA through payroll have now been automatically enrolled in My Future Fund.
My Future Fund is easy for employees and employers alike to engage with through an online portal.
To date over 90,000 employers, who employ approximately 690,000 employees, have registered their contact and payment details on the My Future Fund employer portal. These registrations are continuing.
This outcome is reflective of the huge effort made by my Department in engaging with employers and employees in advance of the launch of My Future Fund.
It also reflects the ongoing support for the automatic enrolment project from representative groups of employers and employees and the feedback from such groups since the commencement of My Future Fund remains positive.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
