asked the Minister for Finance if a pensionable retiring age of 70 years applies to any State servants, employees of semi-State bodies or private concerns; and, if so, if he will introduce legislation for a uniform retiring age of 65 in view of this country's probable entry into the EEC.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Retiring Age.
15.
A general pensionable retiring age of 65 years applies to State servants and employees of semi-State bodies with whose superannuation schemes I am concerned. The main exception to this is the pension scheme for non-established State employees. Employees to whom this scheme applies may retire or be required to retire at age 65 but service up to age 70 may reckon for superannuation. In the case of holders of military service pensions service up to age 75 may reckon. The introduction of legislation for a uniform retiring age of 65 is not envisaged. The pensionable retiring age of employees of private firms is, of course, a matter for the firms themselves to decide.
Would the Minister not agree that it could be a hardship on those State employees if forced to retire at 65? The scheme which he refers to, whereby they could continue to 70, has only recently been introduced.
In some cases it might, yes.