Written answers

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Photo of Mary ButlerMary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1565. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if community employment workers and supervisors will be included in plans to extend the working age for public sector workers to 70 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54548/17]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The interim revised retirement arrangements announced recently by the Government affect public servants only and have been introduced to enable those reaching 65 years of age to remain in place, if they so wish, until they reach the age of eligibility for the contributory State Pension (age 66 at present).

Community Employment (CE) participants and supervisors are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector. My Department is not the employer of CE participants or supervisors and such employees are not public servants but are employees of the sponsoring organisations.

The age limit for participation on CE is linked to the age at which the State Pension becomes available to persons as follows:

- 66 for those born before 1 January 1955;

- 67 for those born on or after 1 January 1955; and

- 68 for those born on or after 1 January 1961

In general, participants, who meet the participation limits, can remain on CE until the working day before their birthday at which they reach State Pension age. In addition, a CE supervisor can remain on CE until the working day before their birthday at which they reach State Pension age.

Therefore, there are currently no plans to make any changes to the retirement of CE participants or supervisors as, in general, they are already allowed to remain until the current State Pension age i.e. 66 years at present.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.