Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Several years ago, I introduced some fundamental reforms as to how people over 62 years of age right up to 66 were dealt with by the Department of Social Protection. First, once people reach the age of 62, if they so wish, they are placed on a yearly signing. In other words, they only need to sign on once a year. If they wish, they can transfer their payments to an electronic fund transfer, to whatever appropriate mechanism or they can continue as they are with their current collection arrangements. They are not subject to the commencement of mandatory activation measures but they may avail of employment supports should they wish to do so. They will not be subject to any activation-related sanctions, such as penalty rates of any kind. The provisions of the circular on that do not apply to anybody over 62. People are already engaged in activation and we would expect them to continue to finish whatever it was they were doing in it. For people over 62, we have allowed for two streams. If they wish to be involved in activation, education or other opportunities, they can avail of them if they so wish. If they do not wish to do that, they can sign on once a year and receive their payments as they see fit. These arrangements are now working successfully. If one comes into one’s 65th year, one’s jobseeker’s benefit - if one is entitled to it - continues until one reaches 66 years of age.

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