In response to a significant reduction in personnel, the Irish government has decided to extend the service period for members of the Garda, Defense Force, and Prison Service. The cabinet decision, announced by Ministers Helen McEntee, Meehol Martin, and Pascal Donohoe, involves raising the pension age for Garda officers to 62 and for Defense personnel to 60. Additionally, the age for joining the forces will be increased to 39 years.
The government aims to simplify procedures, implementing a fast accrual pension policy that allows uniformed personnel to continue in service beyond the age of 60. This decision was widely welcomed, with Justice Minister Helen McEnde emphasizing its potential to enhance efficiency by retaining the knowledge and skills of experienced veterans.
Defense Minister Meehol Martin deemed the move an important step to address recruitment and retention challenges. The law now allows willing workers in Ireland to continue working until the age of 66, a development welcomed by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. The bill will be scrutinized by the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Enterprise, Trade, and Employment.