Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018
268. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the public service superannuation (miscellaneous provisions) (amendment) Bill; when it will be published and introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24451/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra275. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when legislation which will permit persons in the public service that have reached retirement age to continue working and accrue benefits will be brought before Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24991/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 275 together.
As the Deputies are aware, on 5 December 2017, the Government agreed that the compulsory retirement age of most public servants recruited before 1 April 2004 should be increased to age 70. Primary legislation is required for this change to be implemented. The Government has approved the General Scheme of a Bill to give effect to its decision and I asked the Attorney General to prioritise the drafting of this legislation so that the new compulsory retirement age will become effective as soon as possible. The drafting process is currently under way and the Bill is on the list of priority legislation for publication in the current session. The drafting of the legislation is significantly advanced with an expected publication date, subject to Government approval in the coming weeks.
Deputies will appreciate that it is not possible to determine the length of time it will take for the Bill to be drafted and pass through both Houses of the Oireachtas, given the need for meticulous drafting, ongoing detailed policy considerations, and the scheduling requirements of the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Bill is being treated as a priority and my intention is to bring forward the necessary legislation as soon as possible.
In order to make some accommodation for public servants who reach the age of 65 in the period between the Government Decision of 5 December and the commencement of the necessary legislation, the Government approved some limited interim arrangements which became effective from the date of the Government Decision. The interim arrangements (which have to respect the current statutory position of the compulsory retirement age of 65) will, through retire and re-hire, enable pre-2004 public servants who reach the age of 65 to remain in employment until they reach the age of eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory), which is currently 66, should they wish to do so. Details of these interim implementation arrangements have been put in place by the relevant sectors.
