Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
886. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the mandatory retirement age for members of the fire service; if the retirement age may be extended for certain persons; if this dispensation is made at the discretion of the local authority concerned; if such an exemption exists, the maximum age at which fire personnel may remain in their role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12139/20]
View answerThe retirement age for full-time firefighters is, in general, 55. The retirement age for retained firefighters is 55, with provision for an annual extension up to the age of 58, subject to a formal application process to the relevant local authority, including a compulsory medical assessment.
The retirement ages reflect the requirement that firefighters should be capable of satisfactorily meeting the physically demanding nature of the role. In this regard, pursuant to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, every fire authority, as an employer, has a statutory duty to avoid placing employees at unnecessary risk.
In general, any changes to the terms and conditions of employment are discussed and negotiated using the established industrial relations processes.
