Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
669. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he has examined the feasibility of increasing the retirement age for firefighters to 65 years (details supplied), including any engagement with representative bodies and local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35392/26]
View answerIn 2024, the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 was enacted. This Act amended, among other matters, the law in relation to the age at which certain public servants are required to retire. Part 11 of the Act provided the then Minister for Public Expenditure National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (M/PENDR), to make orders, enabling line ministers – Justice, Defence, and Housing – to make regulations regarding the retirement age of uniformed services. Indeed, these regulations were made in August 2024, with the consent of M/PENDR, raising the mandatory retirement age to 62.
I note An Garda Síochána has legislation to extend beyond the mandatory retirement age contracts for certain individuals, and then only with the consent of the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice. However, I understand that this is for a very small number of serving members and only in exceptional circumstances.
Given that this matter has been addressed less than two years ago in consultation with staff representative bodies, there are no plans to revisit it presently.
