Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We all know former civil servants in their late 60s who would be well capable of doing a really good job, but we are losing their expertise, knowledge and experience at a time when there is competition for skill sets in the economy and it is sometimes difficult to fill posts with persons with the skill sets we need. This is the right thing to do on many levels. It arises in a context where people want to work longer and have the capacity to do so, are healthy for longer and the State needs their services. In so many areas, because we can afford to do so, we are increasing numbers in the public sector. My Department is a good example in that we are dramatically increasing numbers in expanding our global footprint, opening new embassies and so on. We want people to stay longer and need to get legislation in place as quickly as possible to underpin that decision. I will reflect this commitment at the Cabinet meeting next week and we will try to accelerate it as quickly as we can.

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