Ireland should "stop treating its older workers in the public service as second-class citizens" and allow them to work on after they reach the age of 65, a Galway TD is demanding.
Independent Galway West TD Noel Grealish raised the issue in a Dáil question to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, asking him what plans the Government has to change the mandatory retirement age in the public sector.
Dep Grealish believes there is "an anomaly" within the public service, in that people who joined after January 2004 are not obliged to retire on age grounds, while those who were employed before that have no choice. He said public sector employees should be allowed remain in their jobs until they reach the age when they become entitled to the State pension, which is currently 66. However this is set to rise to 67 from 2021 and to 68 from 2028.
“Forcing people to retire at 65 when they wish to continue working does not make sense when you are talking about a generation of people with energy and a wealth of experience that can still contribute greatly to their country," he said. "Long gone are the days when someone in their 60s was in the autumn of their lives. It would also mean the state benefits in saving money by putting off the time when a pension must be paid out.”
In response, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe said his department was carrying out a review on this issue which is expected to be completed by the end of the current quarter. Future policy in this area will be considered by Government following the outcome of the review.
