66. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on a submission (details supplied); if he will reply to the requests in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3290/16]

As a Government Department, the scope for retention beyond normal retiring age for staff of my Department is regulated by Department of Finance Circular 13/1975 which permits retention on certain limited grounds. These typically relate to grounds of hardship or public interest. In my Department, there have been no instances in recent years of cases being referred to third parties regarding retirement on age grounds. Five applications from individuals for retention on the grounds provided for in the above circular have been received in recent years and were referred for decision to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, as required.