Retirement age for gardaí, Defence Forces and prison officers increased

The Cabinet signed off on plans to increase the retirement age for gardaí, Defence Forces members and prison officers on Tuesday in a move designed to retain expertise and increase resources for all three bodies.

Gardaí and the Defence Forces have in particular suffered from issues with retaining members as well as recruitment in recent years.

The maximum recruitment age in the Defence Forces is also being increased to 39 as part of the changes which will come into effect from March 29.

The decision was announced at Government Buildings by the Tánaiste and Defence Minister Micheál Martin, Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe on Tuesday following a formal Cabinet decision.

“The recruitment and retention challenges facing our Defence Forces have been well documented, but these measures are a further step towards addressing these issues,” Mr Martin said.

He said the retention of personnel remains a challenge in the current economy, notwithstanding the range of pay and non-pay measures already implemented.

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The Fianna Fáil leader said that the decision will apply to existing members of the Defence Forces, but they would not be obligated to work until 62 and could still retire on their pension at 60.

“Many of them had been waiting for this announcement in the sense of being able to prolong their careers within the Defence Forces,” he said.

“If we can retain more in our Defence Forces that will narrow the gap between inductions and those exiting on retirement.”

Ms McEntee confirmed it would also be voluntary for members and would apply to all ranks of the force “up to assistant commissioner and beyond”.

Ms McEntee has said she will continue to consider all additional measures to progress and enhance garda recruitment over the coming months in a bid to reach a target of having more than 15,000 gardaí in the State

Mr Donohoe said the Government decision would also improve pensions packages for those who decide to delay their retirement. “The is that if they're under the age of 60, and if they decide to defer their retirement, they will be able to earn the extra pension entitlements at the faster accrual rates, so their pension will be worth more,” he said.