Michael Creed
Question:90 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Finance the reason low age limit restrictions are placed on many civil servant/local authority vacancies; and if he will consider removing same.
Written Answers. - Public Service Employment Restrictions.
In the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, the Government gave a commitment to a policy of substantially raising recruitment age limits throughout the public service. Upper age limits in recently advertised open competitions for posts in the Civil Service have reflected that commitment. Posts in several general service grades, which previously had upper age limits ranging from 20 to 30, have been advertised with an upper age limit of 50.
As the Deputy is aware, I have direct responsibility for recruitment in the Civil Service only. However, I understand from the Minister for the Environment that he has approved in principle the raising of recruitment age limits for the local authority service and that arrangements for the implementation of the higher age limits are being examined under the auspices of the Local Government Staff Negotiations Board.