Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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276. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the retirement age of 55 years was introduced for retained firefighters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14664/23]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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277. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of retained firefighters forced to retire at the at the age of 58 years in advance of the issuing of Circular LG(P) 02/2020 - Retained Firefighters - Compulsory Retirement Age; what, if any, consideration was given to those who were forced to retire in advance of issuing the Circular; if they might reasonably be entitled to compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14665/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 277 together.

In 1985, a compulsory retirement age of 55 years for retained firefighters was introduced at national level as a result of a lengthy negotiation process engaged in by the then Local Government Management Services Board representing local authority managers and the trade unions representing the retained firefighters. This national measure came about following Labour Court Recommendation 9605 of the 12 March 1985, which recommended the phasing in, over a two-year period, of a compulsory retirement age of 55 years and a scheme of retirement gratuities.

As noted above, the normal retirement age of retained firefighters was 55 years, with a subsequent provision for an annual extension up to the age of 58 years, subject to a formal application process, including a compulsory assessment under the Occupational Health Scheme.

In early 2020, the Workplace Relations Commission recommended that the existing provisions for the retirement age of retained firefighters should be amended to change the existing provision for an annual extension from 58 years to 60 years.

In deference to this recommendation, on 8 December 2020 and on an interim basis pending consideration of legislative amendments, Circular LG(P) 02/2020 was issued which provides that retained firefighters may now continue working until reaching the age of 60 years, subject to annual compulsory assessment under the Occupational Health Scheme.

The issue of compensation does not arise where policy changes in response to a recommendation of the Workplace Relations Commission.

Data in respect of numbers of retained firefighters by age cohort are not collected and, consequently, are not available in my Department. The relevant information would be available from each local authority.