Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
455. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the position regarding the mandatory retirement age for participants on the job initiative scheme to ensure that those who wish to can remain on the scheme past the State pension age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16007/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware Job Initiative (JI) is an employment support scheme which was designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities. Recruitment onto the scheme ceased from November 2004, while existing participants have their annual contracts renewed until they reach 66 years of age.
In response to the recommendations from the Commission on Pensions, a set of new pension measures were approved by Cabinet in September 2022. The set of reforms agreed included maintaining the State pension age at 66 and introducing a new flexible pension model, which came into effect from January 2024, whereby people have the option to continue working up until the age of 70 in return for a higher pension.
The new measures are specifically for people in standard employment situations and do not apply to State supported schemes like JI, where the participant qualifies due to having been on a specific social welfare payment in advance of their placement on the scheme.
Accordingly, the position regarding funding for participants on employment support schemes, including the JI scheme, remains the same. Funding for participants will continue to be available to State Pension Age, which is currently 66.
Should participants wish to continue to work after they reach 66, it is open to them to apply for positions that are not state funded. There may also be the option to work with the JI scheme in a voluntary capacity.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
