Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I referred to temporary provisions put in place to facilitate public servants, pending the passage of the legislation. The passage of the proposed legislation will, I believe, address any misgivings of public servants regarding the current temporary arrangements. However, those temporary arrangements must respect the current compulsory statutory retirement age of 65. Once the legislation is commenced, public servants who choose to remain beyond the age of 65 will not be in the position of having retired and been re-hired as is currently the case.

It is intended that the new legislation will allow for the retention of public servants who reach the age of 65 following the commencement of the legislation on current terms and conditions. Additional service will count towards pension accrual subject to the statutory maximum of 40 years and pension entitlements will then become payable at the date of retirement. Finally, both the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, and I look forward to securing early passage of the Bill through the Oireachtas and we ask the indulgence of this and the other House for its speedy passage.