Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her reply. In my opinion, there needs to be a cultural shift in respect of employing senior citizens, including those with experience who have been obliged to leave the workforce. Sometimes contracts are not renewed at the age of 65 years and pensions do not start until age 66; therefore, what can people do for that year? We should promote a positive perception and image of older people in the workforce. I welcome the Minister's answer in that regard.

As highlighted in the national positive ageing strategy, flexible retirement arrangements in the work environment can be adapted to the needs of all generations. Continuous education and training are important, as is the promotion of positive images of older people showing that they can contribute.

We can facilitate people of great experience who have left the workforce and who may not be able to contribute to it directly but who may be able to contribute through training and handing over that experience to younger generations that would be able to compete. This is about giving people that better competitive advantage within the economy to compete for higher positions given their training at university or in their initial jobs. It is also about the fact that these people could hand over or disseminate some of their life experience to younger people and enhance that competitiveness. That is what we are looking for in our growing economy. I welcome the Minister's reply. I reiterate that this is a positive move on an issue that has arisen because of our ageing population. We are living longer. Obviously, the economy continues to improve on foot of the policies that have been implemented by the Government. I would like to see more done in this area.

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