Dublin South West TD, Seán Crowe, has welcomed that all parties have stated their support for a Sinn Féin Bill that seeks to abolish mandatory retirement due to age.

The Sinn Féin TD said that the proposed legislation will give older workers a choice when it comes to their own retirement.

Speaking in the Dáil when the Bill was debated Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“I welcome the unanimous support of everyone in the Oireachtas to bring an end to what has been a long-standing practice of discrimination against older citizens, who in many cases are forced to retire against their will.

“This Sinn Féin Bill addresses a multitude of dilemmas facing older people including the fact that many are forced to retire at the age 65 and then forced onto a job-seekers payment for a year before they can receive their State Pension. This pathway to a pension can be degrading, and it is unnecessarily upsetting for many people who worked all their life and never claimed a welfare payment.

“The legislation will also help to alleviate the unjust and disproportionate impact on senior citizens, particularly women, who may have taken time out of work to raise families or to care for a loved one and now find themselves in the vulnerable position where they cannot draw full pension entitlements. This is because of changes introduced by the former Labour leader and Social Protection Minister, Joan Burton. Due to these changes many women now find they don’t have sufficient contributions to access a full state pension.

“An argument used to support the current legal provision is that if people retire at an earlier age there will be more youth employment. Such statements have been dismissed time and time again. The experience and wealth of knowledge held by an older person at work can be taught to younger workers coming in. Research from other countries would also suggest that the retirement of older people has no proportionate impact on the employment of young people with evidence suggesting that its inclusive society’s that work best in every way.

“It is vitally important if we want to see an inclusive society that we treat all our citizens including all those who are in the senior citizen category equally.

“There is no doubt but that one of the greatest challenges facing us as a country is sustaining the State Pension into the future. By 2046 1.4 million people will be aged over 65, compared to the 530,000 that were recorded in the last census – a staggering increase.

“As it stands, a worker forced into retirement at the age of 65 is entitled to a Jobseeker’s Benefit of €188 at the maximum rate until he or she turns 66. Financially, it makes sense for an older worker to continue to contribute to the Exchequer instead of withdrawing payments from it. It also deals with the reality that retirement without an extra income means a huge decrease in income.

“In my opinion this legislation is by its very nature progressive and a significant development. It has already been welcomed by many people and organisations that have been campaigning on this issue for a very long time.”

ENDS