As the Deputy is aware, the Interdepartmental Working Group on Fuller Working Lives was chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; an official from the Equality Division of my Department participated in that Group along with representatives of other relevant Departments. The Interdepartmental Working Group issued its report in August 2016 and, in that report, made a number of recommendations.
The Interdepartmental Working Group's report recommended that the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) issue guidance in relation to the use of fixed term contracts beyond normal retirement age. The Interdepartmental Working Group also recommended that the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) prepare a code of practice under section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act 1990 in the context of longer working.
Following discussions between my Department and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) which arose as a result of the above recommendations, it was agreed that the most appropriate way to offer guidance in this matter to employees and employers would be for IHREC to develop a Code of Practice under section 31 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 in relation to possible age discrimination in the context of retirement.
As the Deputy can appreciate, it is important that the IHREC and WRC issues set out above be treated in a manner that reflects their complementarity and that there be no duplication of efforts in this regard. I am advised that the IHREC has engaged with the WRC with a view to ensuring that there is no unnecessary overlap between their respective work in this area. I am informed that it is anticipated that these discussions and the WRC's consultations with stakeholders on the approach to the recommendations for which it is responsible are nearing completion and I look forward to receiving the IHREC's proposals for a Code of Practice as soon as the IHREC has considered the best approach and completed its own subsequent consultations with stakeholders.
