Paul Connaughton
Question:58 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the proposals, if any, he has to reduce the extent of overtime working in order to promote employment opportunities.
Written Answers. - Employment Opportunities Promotion.
Enda Kenny
Question:62 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the proposals, if any, he has to introduce early retirement schemes in order to open up employment opportunities.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 62 together as schemes of early retirement and of overtime reduction are, in their different ways, both forms of work redistribution, or worksharing as it is more commonly called. Early retirement schemes seek to redistribute work from older workers willing to withdraw from paid employment to younger workers unable to find it. Overtime reduction programmes aim to redistribute work from those who regularly work in excess of standard working hours to those who do not have the opportunity to work standard hours.
The Deputies will be aware that the Programme for Government contains a commitment to bring forward proposals for a national voluntary scheme of worksharing for discussion with the social partners. As a first step in giving effect to this commitment, it has been decided to commission a thorough, objective study of the issues and options. The scope for, and costs and benefits of a scheme of early retirement will be considered in the course of this review as will the potential to reduce overtime working and have work that is currently done in overtime hours carried out instead by additional workers.
Tenders for this study have been sought from third-level and research institutions with relevant expertise. It is envisaged that it will be completed by the autumn.
The Deputy may be aware that the participation rate in the labour force of workers aged between 55 and 64 has been in decline in recent decades so that there is already an established trend towards earlier retirement. This trend has been recognised in the introduction of the PreRetirement Allowance Scheme and the Pre-Retirement Credits Scheme which permit persons aged over 55 who are in receipt of long term unemployment assistance, or who are signing on for credits, to transfer to the above schemes if they consider themselves to be retired. If they do so, they are no longer required to "sign on".
The Deputy may also be aware of the proposed early retirement scheme for farming which is under the aegis of the Minister for Agriculture.