asked the Minister for Justice if he has any proposals to extend the retirement age for members of the Garda Síochána to 60, in order to retain experienced personnel within the ranks to assist in the fight against crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Retirement Age for Garda Síochána.
69.
The ranks of the Garda Síochána for which the compulsory retirement age is below 60 are those of inspector, sergeant and garda. It is a requirement of long standing that members of those ranks have to retire at 57. The representative associations for those ranks have from time to time over the years brought forward proposals for extending their members' service to 60 years of age. On those occasions successive Ministers for Justice have taken the view that such a change would not be in the best interests of the force.
The Garda Representative Association and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors have recently made renewed proposals to me on this subject in the light of present-day circumstances. These proposals are still under examination in my Department.