asked the Minister for Defence if he will issue a direction to officers responsible to him for the employment of civilians that when these employees reach the age of 65 years and are still capable of carrying out their work efficiently, that their services will not be dispensed with, having regard to the fact that they do not qualify for a pension in respect of their service and will not qualify for old age pension until they reach 70 years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment of Civilians.
The services of civilian employees under my Department are not automatically dispensed with when they reach the age of 65 years, but when they reach that age their cases are reviewed from the point of view of health, conduct, ability to do their work efficiently, and the necessity for continuing the posts they occupy.
The question has been put down with reference to Cobh particularly. I am aware that men are about to be laid off in Cobh just because they have reached the age of 65. Personally, I think it is most unfair that a man should be thrown on the unemployment list who is quite capable of performing his work, particularly in view of the very serious monetary hardships that it will entail as such men are not in a position to get the old age pension until they reach the age of 70. No other employer will take them on.
The Deputy must realise that he cannot make a speech by way of a supplementary question.
I was not making a speech, I was merely bringing the facts to the notice of the Minister.
In reply to the Deputy, may I say that if the requisites which I have just mentioned can be met by the individual concerned, and if there is a necessity for continuing him in the post, there will be no objection to keeping him on.
I thank the Minister. I shall bring the case to the Minister's notice when it arises.