Age Action, Ireland’s leading advocacy organisation for older people, has welcomed today’s announcement by Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe TD that the mandatory retirement age will rise for public sector workers.
The abolition of mandatory retirement ages is a key campaign priority for the organisation.
Justin Moran, Head of Advocacy and Communications with Age Action, said: “Many older workers are afraid of losing their job for no other reason than turning 65. They want to be able to work a little longer to ensure a more secure retirement.
“Raising the mandatory retirement age, though falling short of abolition, will go a long way to addressing those concerns by allowing public sector workers to choose to keep working.
“Today’s welcome decision by the Minister will be a source of relief to a lot of older workers fearful of being forced out of their job and onto the dole at 65.
“We want the Minister and all parties in the Dáil to work together to ensure that when this Bill is brought forward it is passed through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible.
“However, there are many thousands of older workers in the private sector who will not benefit from today’s changes. They cannot be left behind.
“Legislation is currently stuck in the Oireachtas that would abolish mandatory retirement clauses, including in the private sector, and we would like to see the Government enable that Bill to move forward.”
