Mr. Noel Conway:

I am pleased to be given this opportunity to address the committee today. I fully support the Employment Equality (Abolition of Mandatory Retirement Age) Bill 2014, sponsored by Deputy Anne Ferris. I am delighted that my recent submission was selected for inclusion at today’s committee hearing stage. I am employed as a community employment supervisor. I am 63 years of age and have worked in this position for the past 22 years. Under current law I must retire in three years at the age of 66. I will still have two sons in third level education and I know my wife and I will find it very difficult to make ends meet. Can I afford to have my sons finish college?

Large numbers of people like myself are working today in the community and voluntary sector with no retirement or pension entitlements to alleviate these fears when we reach the State retirement age. In light of this fact, the Labour Court recommendation LCR 19293 July 2008 stated that “an agreed pension scheme should be introduced for community employment scheme supervisors/assistant supervisors and the scheme should be adequately funded by FÁS as the recognised funding agency”. This recommendation was not honoured by FÁS or by the Department of Social Protection, which is the current funding body. As such, many of us face into a poorer and more stressful time in our latter years. Deputy Ferris’s Bill offers us, in these circumstances, an opportunity to remain in continued employment provided that the Department of Social Protection will continue the funding of our positions beyond the age of 66, which it currently fails to do.

An article from Age Action Ireland under the heading "employment and income" states: “the Government view access to quality employment opportunities as the best route out of poverty and social exclusion". Community employment employers - community groups mandated by the State to be incorporated company status - under the auspices of the Department of Social Protection fund and control the day-to-day operating procedures of each and every project throughout the State to such a degree that one wonders who the employer is. One very important procedural demand made by the Department of Social Protection in respect of today’s Bill is that the Department instructs all community and voluntary employers that no funding be given to any employee on reaching the State retirement age of 66. Employers in this scenario have no choice but to make those workers redundant, as these voluntary groups do not have the financial resources to fund the wages of any staff.

People today are healthier and fitter and thankfully are living longer. They are therefore much more able to continue working if allowed to do so. As an individual approaching retirement age, I feel that I should have the right to determine how long I wish to remain in the workplace. Retirement should not be dictated by the State. The Global Health and Aging report, in the "Living Longer" section, states: “the dramatic increase in average life expectancy during the 20th century ranks as one of society’s greatest achievements". It will be the greatest achievement of this Dáil to pass into law Deputy Anne Ferris's Employment Equality (Abolition of Mandatory retirement Age) Bill 2014.