Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 February 2019
278. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to implement legislation that will outlaw in most instances contracts that stipulate a person has to retire at 65 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5283/19]
View answerThe Minister for Justice and Equality’s role in relation to retirement ages is limited to aspects covered by equality legislation. Equality legislation provides that retirement ages are in line with the relevant EU Directive provision permitting differences of treatment on the grounds of age, if, within the context of national law, they are objectively and reasonably justified by a legitimate aim. It is a matter for employers to comply with those requirements and to respond to any complaint made by any individual, who believes that he or she has suffered discrimination under one of the grounds contained in the Employment Equality Acts, to the Workplace Relations Commission.
The Minister has no responsibility for mandatory retirement ages applied by employers, either in the public or private sector.
