Vol. 513 No. 1
156 Mr. Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will amend the redundancy payment acts in order that statutory redundancy will be paid to employees over 66 years of age for the amount they would be entitled to, at least, on reaching the age of 66, in view of the unfairness of the existing situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1507/00]
The stipulation of 66 as the maximum age for statutory redundancy payments purposes stems from the fact that 66 is the age at which people qualify for the old age pension. Employees at that age become entitled to an old age contributory pension or to an old age non-contributory pension.
The Redundancy Payments Acts, 1967 to 1991, make provision for minimum redundancy payments for employees being under the age of 66 and, therefore, not yet being entitled to either of these two State pensions, provided that they have at least two years service, are 16 years of age or older at the time of termination of employment and fulfil the other statutory criteria.
While it does not happen very often, the type of case outlined by the Deputy raises an equity issue. This is currently being examined by the redundancy payments section in my Department.
