421. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether it is the intention of his Department to allow retained firefighters to continue to work until 65 years-of-age; if so, if he will detail the work undertaken by his Department to date; and whether he has consulted with a union (details supplied) on the matter. [47012/26]

In 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.

Given this was addressed less than two years ago, in consultation with fire service staff representative organisations including SIPTU, there are no plans to revisit this matter presently.