Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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, as well as related secondary legislation.

My Department has identified a suitable legislative vehicle to include the relevant amendments which will be drafted by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, and which will allow for the relevant amendments to the primary legislation to be made and it is intended that revised legislation will be in place before the summer recess.

There are no immediate plans for further changes but the matter will be kept under review in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.