Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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520. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if funding workers on labour activation programmes in line with the proposed legislation being introduced by the Minister for Finance to increase the compulsory retirement age to 70 years of age will be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29003/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011 provided for the necessary amendments to increase the State pension age in line with the National Pensions Framework. It provided for an increase in the age for qualification for the State Pension from 66 years to 67 years from 2021, and a further increase to 68 years from 2028.

The Deputy should note that currently people on labour activation programmes funded by my Department may work until the day before their 66th birthday, current state pension age. My Department will continue to review the conditions of the scheme to ensure they remain appropriate and in line with any changes to legislation including changes to the state pension age.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.