Pensions in the workplace day

Pensions accessibility for all

Tuesday 2 May 2006: “Pensions must be accessible to all in the workplace and in society,” Anne Maher, Chief Executive of The Pensions Board said today. Ms Maher was speaking during ‘Pensions in the Workplace Day’, when The Pensions Board launched its Pensions checklist in Irish, French, Spanish, Polish, Russian, Arabic and Chinese. The Board also launched an information booklet, ‘A brief guide to equal pension treatment’ and ‘Guidance Notes’ on this subject. A partnership between the Board and the National Recruitment Federation was also announced, whereby Federation members will provide pensions information to their future recruitment candidates.

The Pensions Board has published the Pensions checklist in the six most commonly used languages in Ireland by our non-national citizens according to figures from the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The Equality booklet provides guidance for all on equal pension treatment, discrimination and victimisation in relation to occupational pension schemes and the Guidance notes provide more detailed information on this matter for pension practitioners. Minister for Social Affairs, Seamus Brennan TD launched the new literature today as part of National Pensions Action Week.

Speaking at the Launch today, Anne Maher, Chief Executive, Pensions Board said: “It’s important that pensions are offered to all in the workplace and society, and we’re delighted today to be launching our Pensions Checklist in several different languages and our publications on Equal Pensions Treatment. Ireland has undergone considerable change over the past ten years and we now benefit from a new multicultural society and workforce. These publications will ensure that those in the workplace are aware of what constitutes discrimination when it comes to their pension and where they can turn to if they are experiencing discrimination. Pensions must be accessible to all and the Pensions Board will continue to work to ensure that this is the case.”

Speaking at the launch today, Frank Collins, President of the National Recruitment Federation said: “Over 150 offices around the country which are run by our members will be provided with pensions information for our future candidates. As an organisation we want to ensure that candidates are sent out into the workforce empowered with a basic understanding of pensions”. Frank added, “We are keen to see that employers also see the benefits of pension provision as an important facility to help recruit, retain and reward staff”.

ENDS

For further information:

Mary Hutch
Head of Information and Training
The Pensions Board
Tel: (01) 6131900

Aongus Horgan
Assistant Head of Information and Training
The Pensions Board
Tel: (01) 6131900

Jackie Gallagher / Mark Leech Q4 PR Tel: (01) 4751444

Notes:

About The Pensions Board
The Pensions Board is the statutory body set up to regulate occupational pension schemes and PRSAs and to advise the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, and through him, the Government, on overall pension policy development.

Pension Information
The information Unit at The Pensions Board provides a wide range of pension information booklets free of charge and can be reached at the LoCall number 1890-65-65-65 and on www.pensionsboard.ie.

Equality Booklet and Pensions Checklists
The Pensions Board new Equality Booklet and the multi-lingual checklists are available on www.pensionsboard.ie along with a pensions calculator and a comprehensive selection of information booklets on pensions. The Equality Guidance notes are available from the Board by subscription.

National Pensions Action Week, 1 – 7 May 2006
National Pensions Action Week is currently underway with an intensive advertising and promotional focus on the key age targets of 25 – 39 which includes on-the-street promotional activity, outdoor, ambient and online advertising, national print advertising, regional and national radio and TV advertising.

National Recruitment Federation
The National Recruitment Federation is a voluntary organisation set up to establish and maintain standards and codes of practice for the Recruitment Industry in Ireland, representing approximately 100 recruitment agencies throughout the country. Founded in 1971, the NRF seeks to provide its members with the best possible service in terms of support, communication, advice sharing and problem solving and in doing so to promote professional competence within the industry. Membership of the NRF is granted only to organisations that meet criteria of excellence (including adherence to the provisions of the Employment Agency Act 1971 and all other relevant Government legislation and amendments) and who agree to abide by the NRF Code of Conduct.

National Pensions Forum
Friday 5 May, will see a National Pensions Forum in Dublin Castle, to progress the pensions debate. Following the publication of the Board’s National Pensions Review, this forum is being held to elicit the views of the many stakeholders who contribute towards the formulation of pension policy in Ireland. The forum will be chaired by Minister Seamus Brennan and will hear from national and international speakers on pensions reform.