Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Take the case of somebody who is compulsorily retired at 65 and then applies for jobseeker’s benefit because he or she cannot get a job.

Is the Minister saying that in order to qualify for jobseeker's benefit this person does not have to establish or can never be asked whether he or she is actively seeking or available for work? I need clarification of the matter because what she has said seems to differ somewhat from the reply we received at the committee. Has she been contacted by her colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, about the matter? On 9 October Mr. Jack O'Connor, general president of SIPTU, received a letter from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform which stated:

You have raised an important issue with me regarding the income gap faced by workers who are required to retire at age 65 given the age for entitlement to the State Pension (age 66).

There would appear to be a disconnect between policy and practice here that needs to be examined. Furthermore, I am also conscious that the State Pension age is set to increase ... to age 67 ... and to age 68 [etc.], which could exacerbate the problem you have outlined.

In light of this, I think we need to move now to address this issue in a comprehensive and sustainable way, including through legislation as required.

To this end, I intend to bring a Memorandum to Government shortly-----

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