John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It was a welcome step in the right direction. I brought forward legislation, which the Government is sitting on, which would ensure that there is no mandated retirement age for any worker, whether in the private or public sector. We are not yet in a position to advance that. It has gone through Second Stage and pre-committee scrutiny, and we are waiting for a money message. There are serious concerns around the interim arrangements announced by the Department on 7 December concerning public service workers. People will be forced to retire once they reach the age of 65. They will then be rehired by the Department, but on the lowest pay scale within the relevant sector. The Minister is saying that he wants to address that issue for these workers, yet they are being brought back to work on a lower pay scale and will not be in a position to continue to build up their pension.

How long is this interim arrangement going to be in place for? When will we see the legislation, and when will the heads of the Bill be published so that we know that this interim arrangement will be brought to an end and that public service workers will be able to stay, if they so wish, in the area in which they are employed at the relevant pay scales?

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