Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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665. To ask the Minister for Health if exceptions to Health Service Executive, HSE, Circular 15/2017 (details supplied) will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24601/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I understand you are referring to the Department of Health Circular 15/2017 of 6 December 2017 which allows certain public servants in the health sector to remain in employment beyond their compulsory retirement age of 65 years until they reach the eligibility age for the Contributory State Pension, currently 66 years.

As you are aware, 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 to 70 years for public servants who are currently required to retire at 65 years. 

Primary legislation is required for this change to be implemented. The Government has approved the General Scheme of a Bill to give effect to its decision and I understand that the drafting process is currently underway and that the Bill is on the list of priority legislation for publication in the current session.  Indeed, I understand that the drafting of the legislation is significantly advanced with an expected publication date, subject to Government approval, of the end of June.

In advance of the legislation coming into effect, the Government agreed that interim arrangements would 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 the Contributory State Pension, 66 years.

These are strictly interim arrangements to be applied to public servants up to the date of their eligibility for the Contributory State Pension only. This reflects the Government Decision and therefore there are no provisions for any exceptions to the criteria for retention as set out in the Department of Health Circular 15/2017.