Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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96. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the sectors within the public service which will not benefit from the phased increase of the retirement age from 65 to 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53404/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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There are certain groups of employees in the public service who, due to the nature of their work, are currently required to retire early. Members of An Garda Síochána, the Permanent Defence Force, Firefighters and Prison Officers are the constituent groups in this category, which are collectively referred to as the uniformed pension fast accrual group.

These public servants currently have earlier compulsory retirement ages (the age at which they must retire) than other public servants.  In recognition of this, their superannuation terms are such that they accrue pension benefits at an accelerated rate.

The Government agreed that the compulsory retirement age for these groups of employees can only be dealt with at sectoral level where the detailed policy, operational and manpower issues relevant to those groups can be appropriately considered. On that basis, the increases in the compulsory retirement age for pre 2004 public servants announced last week will not apply to those groups of public servants.  Retirement ages for those groups will remain a matter for individual consideration in the context of the particular operational considerations arising for such groups, which can best be addressed by the respective Ministers.