Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join colleagues in congratulating Deputy Anne Ferris on bringing forward this Bill. The Chairman summed up the importance of proposals like these being brought before the committee. I apologise to the delegates for not being here in corporeal form but I was watching proceedings on my monitor. I had another meeting that ran late. I read most of the submissions and take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the time the witnesses have taken to make their views known.

Like previous speakers, I do not have any specific questions. I have some personal experience of the issues concerned in that my father was obliged to retire many years ago from the public sector at age 52. He still had a huge amount to contribute to society and that is what he did, for a further 20 years, by way of voluntary work for several charitable organisations in Malahide and further afield. The experience he garnered over 30 years in the public service was wasted to the sector when he had to retire due to downsizing. It was a personal choice he made not to return to paid employment. If he had been in a position to stay on within the public sector and provide his skills and experience, it would no doubt have been of benefit to those with whom he worked.

Reference was made to the fact that the pension age and retirement age are not aligned. It is outrageous to force individuals either to sign on or participate in schemes like JobBridge. Last weekend, at the Pavilions shopping centre in Swords, I met a constituent of mine who I have known for many years. When I told him he looked well and asked how he was getting on, he informed me that, at 65 years of age, he is doing a JobBridge scheme and that he had no choice in the matter. It is not appropriate that people who have been out of work because of the economy and who are somewhat discriminated against because of their age should be treated like that. Such people have a wealth of experience earned over a lifetime of working. The opportunity, particularly within the health service, to use one's skills and experience to nurture young talent coming through as to best practice and so on is extremely important.

In regard to social isolation, as referred to by the Chairman, that is a very important matter for us to consider in the context of this discussion and, indeed, when the Bill comes to Committee Stage. Allowing a person who has 30 or 40 years experience working in a particular industry to continue is far preferable to putting them out to pasture. We must ensure people, particularly in the later stages of their working life, are valued for the important role they can play.