Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Analysis on the cost of mandatory retirement age (MRA) increases for Gardaí was undertaken by my Department. This analysis used anonymised individual data records.

The extent to which an increased MRA represents a cost or a saving incorporates many factors including the individual's rank, current MRA, pension scheme membership and terms applicable (arising from their recruitment date), allowances typical to the grade and salary scale. There is no single element which determines the effect of the increased MRA in terms of cost.

A key driver of savings, where they arise, is that pensions are unpaid while the member remains in employment. This means that the pension of the retired member and the remuneration of his/ her replacement typically offsets the increased costs of retention.

It was established that there are certain members who generate a cost if they remains in employment after their current MRA, and others in respect of which savings arise.

However, on balance, the work undertaken by the Department concluded that increasing the mandatory retirement age for Gardaí from 60 to 62 is cost neutral.