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SIPTU has welcomed the Government’s decision to increase the mandatory retirement age for both retained and full-time firefighters to 62.
It follows an announcement by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien that he had secured approval for the move and that the necessary legislative amendments should be enacted before the Dáil summer recess.
“This extension of the mandatory retirement age up to 62 will serve to further strengthen fire services, not only through the retention of long-serving personnel during a period of change but will also allow the opportunity for that knowledge and expertise of existing experienced personnel to transfer to new recruits at their regular training, drill nights and operationally where it matters most,” Mr O’Brien said.
He added that local authorities are implementing Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) recommendations aimed at addressing recruitment and retention issues in the retained fire service.
SIPTU said its members welcomed the measures that have been announced.
“We also note that the Minister, in his statement, has reaffirmed his commitment to examine a further increase in the retainer paid to members of the retained firefighter service following the recent ratification of the Public Service Pay Agreement,” said SIPTU Sector Organiser Brendan O’Brien.
“SIPTU members are now seeking immediate discussions to deliver on this commitment,” he added.
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