Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
58. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on the rollout of the auto-enrolment pension system; the steps being taken to ensure workers and employers are compliant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46197/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's automatic enrolment retirement savings scheme, MyFutureFund commenced on the 1st January 2026. All elements of the system are operating as planned. Both the employer and participant website portals are fully functional and there is a very high level of compliance by employers registering for the scheme and remitting their contributions. Since the 1st January, based on analysis of payroll data from the Revenue Commissioners, 803,818 employees have been automatically enrolled in MyFutureFund. These employees work for 112,753 employers. In addition, more than 9,000 employees have applied to join the scheme voluntarily. Over €323m in contributions have been collected and invested on behalf of participants. This includes employer and State top-ups with participants seeing a 133% increase in their account over and above their own personal contribution and before investment returns are allocated.
The National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA) was established in October 2025 to oversee and operate MyFutureFund including the collection and investment of contributions and the supervision and enforcement of compliance by employers.
As the data shows the overwhelming majority of employers are operating in compliance with their statutory obligations. However there are some cases where it appears that contributions have not been collected or remitted in respect of employees. NAERSA is following up in these cases. In the first instance it communicates with employers to understand the particular circumstances of the case and to assist employers in understanding and voluntarily taking steps toward full compliance. Where the employer cannot establish a valid reason for non-collection (e.g. in some cases there may be issues with how pension contributions that exempt an employment are reflected in the employer payroll) or does not take steps to comply on a voluntary basis NAERSA will exercise its statutory enforcement powers.
These enforcement powers include the issuances of compliance notices, fixed payment notices and criminal prosecution for serious offences. These powers escalate from fines to imprisonment and public naming of offenders.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
