The Government has approved a plan to increase the mandatory retirement age for gardaí, members of the Defence Forces, and prison officers, from 60 to 62.

Paschal Donohoe (Minister for Public Expenditure) is to bring forward amendments to the relevant pension legislation to facilitate the measure.

The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said that it was important to retain the knowledge and expertise of experienced people in An Garda Síochána where possible.

“Increasing the mandatory retirement age reflects the reality across all sectors that people can and want to work in their chosen careers for longer,” she added.

Last year, the maximum age limit for joining the gardaí was raised from 35 to 50.

Recruitment challenges

For the Defence Forces, the maximum recruitment age is also being raised to 39 under the measures approved today (5 March).

Micheál Martin (Tánaiste and Minister for Defence) said: “The recruitment and retention challenges facing our Defence Forces have been well documented, but these measures are a further step towards addressing these issues, while also modernising the organisation as a whole.”

The legislation to be amended to give effect to the new retirement age includes the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 and the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.