asked the Minister for the Public Service if any consideration is being given to making conditions for early retirement more attractive throughout the public service with the object of creating more vacancies for young entrants.

Although the compulsory retiring age for public servants is normally 65 most of them are entitled to retire with immediate pension at age 60 if they so wish. The conditions covering such early retirement have in fact been made more attractive in recent years by a number of improvements in superannuation terms. For example, the qualifying service for maximum lump sum has been reduced from 45 to 40 years and pensions are now increased annually in line with current salaries. Furthermore, persons who resign before the minimum retiring age can, provided they have at least five years' service, have their accrued entitlement to pension and lump sum preserved and brought into payment on an uprated basis at age 60. Since these improvements were introduced, the number of voluntary retirements from the civil service before the compulsory retiring age has tended to increase.

In these circumstances, and having regard to cost factors, no further measures to make early retirement even more attractive throughout the public service are envisaged.

A scheme was attempted in Belgium whereby young people were taken in to fill vacancies created by retirements. Would the Minister look into the possibility of giving further monetary inducement to those over a certain age to leave the public service to take up other employment, if they wish, making room for young people?

This is a statement.

There is a possibility of further job creation. Will the Minister review the position?

One could argue that there is a possibility of further job creation, but one would have to be careful about the age decided upon. The age at present is 60. If the age were further reduced one could assume that those leaving the public service would take up other employment and there would not be any contribution to job creation.

Because of family circumstances and financial considerations, it is not possible for some people to leave the public service who might otherwise so do. In consultation with public service bodies, will the Minister consider whether there is further scope for early retirement from the public service?

We are not considering that at present.

What percentage of civil servants who reach the age of 65 are re-employed in a Department in an established capacity?

That is a separate question.

This practice is most undesirable.

If the Deputy puts down a question on this matter, I will answer it.

I welcome the Minister's reply in regard to early retirement.

The Deputy may not make a speech.

We want to give inducements to people to retire early so that jobs will be created for young people. I hope the Minister will pursue this.