Vol. 413 No. 1
30 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Labour if he will consider introducing legislation to outlaw discrimination in employment of the ground of age in the view of the increased numbers aged 39 years and over who have been unemployed for 12 months or longer and are being discriminated against solely because of their age; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Government have consistently sought to counter negative perceptions among employers about the capabilities and motivation of the long term unemployed which may have adverse effects on the opportunities available to older workers. They have sought to change attitudes and advance positive measures, primarily through the partnership approach that has worked successfully through the implementation of the Programme for National Recovery and its successor the Programme for Economic and Social Progress.
The Government undertook in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress to pursue a policy of substantially raising recruitment age limits throughout the public service. The Deputy will be pleased to learn that upper age limits for recently advertised open competitions for posts in the Civil Service have reflected the commitment given in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress. The Minister for Health and the Minister for the Environment have both provided for an upper age limit of 50 for all offices in relation to which they are the appropriate Ministers.
These progressive developments, which flow from the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, are the subject of monitoring and review by all the parties to the agreement. I would like to reiterate my commitment to the promotion of equal opportunities for all in employment — irrespective of age — and to emphasise my own concern to take positive measures to assist the reintegration of older unemployed workers into mainstream employment.
