Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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202. To ask the Minister for Health if a person who is working in the HSE and has reached 65 years of age can continue working until 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4696/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My colleague, the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure & Reform, Paschal Donohoe T.D., secured Government approval in December 2017 for an increase in the compulsory retirement age from 65 years to 70 years for public servants who currently are required to retire at age 65 years . Legislation will be necessary to effect these changes and the General Scheme of a Bill was also approved by Government at that time. Minister Donohoe has indicated that he would ask the Attorney General to prioritise the drafting of this legislation so that the new compulsory retirement age would become effective as soon as possible.

The Government also agreed, in advance of the legislation coming into effect, that interim arrangements could be introduced, for serving public servants who reach the age of 65 years between the date of the Government Decision and the coming into effect of the necessary legislation. These arrangements enable such public servants to be retained until they reach the age of eligibility for Contributory State Pension, which is currently age 66 years. My Department has advised the HSE and other agencies of these interim measures.