Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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188. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to amend the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 and the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 to give effect to commitments made to provide for an increase in the mandatory retirement age to 62 years for uniformed public servants; if the Government plans to apply the amended legislation consistently across all line Government departments and the relevant sectoral employers; the proposed upper age limit will be explicitly provided for in the proposed amended legislation; the rationale for the apparent decision to devolve this matter to individual line departments; if the Department will agree to meet the public sector unions (details supplied) on these matters given their concerns as expressed in correspondence to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27876/24]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I fully support measures to increase the retirement ages in the uniformed services. An increased mandatory retirement age of 62 for members of An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, Firefighters and the Irish Prison Service was recently approved by Government. This will enhance the options available to members of the uniformed services and it will assist in retaining valuable expertise.

The provisions which give effect to this decision are included in Part 7 of the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024. The Bill and Explanatory Memorandum was published by the Minister for Justice on 20th June, and was initiated in the Seanad on 27th June.

While the relevant Minister with responsibility determines the operational justification for mandatory retirement age changes within each uniformed cohort, it is my role as Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan, Delivery and Reform to sanction the pay and pensions impact of any retirement age measures.

I am satisfied that the provisions set out in the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 will allow serving members of An Garda Síochána, the Defence forces, Firefighters and Prison Officers the additional option to remain in work for longer, if they choose to do so.

The correspondence, which you have referenced, will be responded to directly.