Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
815. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice if she plans to bring forward changes to the public service pension to allow workers to work past their contracted retirement date, as per the recent announcement from the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14564/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra872. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice when the decision to raise the retirement age for staff in the prison service will be implemented; if she is aware that many staff in the service are keen to work to the new increased age but cannot do so until the decision is implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14248/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 815 and 872 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, the current maximum retirement age of 60 for Prison Officers and members of An Garda Síochána is set out in Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 and the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 and in related secondary legislation.
Recently the Government, approved increasing the mandatory retirement age to 62 years of age in a number of the uniform services including the Irish Prison Service and An Garda Síochána.
This increase, from 60 years to 62 years, to the mandatory retirement age reflects the reality across all sectors that people can and want to work in their chosen careers for longer.
This increased mandatory retirement age in the uniformed services will be facilitated by amendments to the relevant legislation to be brought forward by the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform Paschal Donohoe, TD.
My Department has identified a suitable legislative vehicle which will allow for the relevant amendments to give effect to these changes and it is intended that revised legislation will be in place before the summer recess and I will make the necessary changes to the secondary legislation which relate to An Garda Síochána within the same timeframe.
As the Deputy will appreciate the extension or permission to allow a prison officer stay beyond their maximum retirement age requires these legislative changes to be in place before any extension beyond the arrangements already in place can be granted.
