Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

Senator Mullen used the words "flexible" and "choice" in his contribution. People must have choices. In terms of an official retirement age of 65, the word "retirement" should be abolished from the vocabulary. Members of society do not talk about retirement in that sense today. There is a major disconnect between the official retirement age and society at large in terms of the vast experience of people. If people are healthy, strong and want to stay on in their jobs and make a further contribution, they should not be denied that option. However, I acknowledge that there are many vulnerable people. The Government has acknowledged that and given a commitment to provide for these people in terms of the budgetary allocation for home care packages, the increased provision in the home help service, provision for palliative care and access to nursing homes. I welcome the fair deal concept. I hope it is introduced as it would help to change the perception in regard to nursing homes being affordable, accessible and those who are vulnerable would have less anxiety about their health care.

There are two prongs to the Minister of State's work in this area, to which I know she is very committed. Those who are healthy and able should be allowed to stay on in their jobs, while those who are vulnerable and unhealthy must have access to all the help we can give them. The decision to retire or to remain in the workplace should be left to the individual concerned and we should revisit the issue of the compulsory retirement age. There is a disconnect between that notion and the society's view of it. There are anti-wrinkle creams and new approaches to life and I do not see why we should not accept that is the way life is now.

Furthermore, we have a Celtic tiger economy. Compared to the older generation, who as young people went to work at the age of 14, 15 or 16 years, young people today have a longer adolescence period, so to speak, in that they do not begin work proper until the age of 25, 26 or 27. Many people, therefore, do not take up permanent work until they are 30 and they are supposed to retire at 60 or 65. That is a crazy system and it cannot work given the approach to life today. We must have an open approach to retirement. If one is healthy, well and able to do one's job, one should be allowed to continue in work. People will know when they are slowing down.