Submission 121

March 2008

Green Paper Submission

It is submitted that:

The new legislation will acknowledge the changing environment where over-65s are able and encouraged to continue in employment.
The new legislation will acknowledge that the public service and local authorities are able to employ over sixty fives due to changes in 2004
There is consequently a need to change the rules:
- Requiring compulsory retirement at age 65/66
- Requiring the qualifying entry age at age 56
- To allow “stamps” to be paid beyond age 65/66
The Contributory pension should not be paid to anyone continuing in employment
Incentives should be given to anyone continuing in employment after age 65 in sectors where there is an identified skills shortage
That disincentives be applied in those sectors where there is no skill shortage to allow younger staff to be promoted to have their skills recognised and enable them to make their contribution
Legislative changes should be retroactive
Both Irish citizens, and anyone who qualifies under a Bilateral Agreement, who is adversely affected by existing legislation should be able to make up PRSI contributions by lump sum payment thereby qualifying for the Contributory Pension
A review of the service delivery of the Department be undertaken to ensure appropriate service level contracts are negotiated with Government
The current delays (two years in my case) responding to enquiries is not acceptable by comparison with international best practice
The role of the Social Welfare Appeals Board should be reviewed and the Board given powers to make decisions on appeals without depending on input from Departmental officials whose decisions are being appealed in the same way as Bord Pleanála makes rulings on planning matters based on the reports of its inspectors and the Board’s understanding of the merits or otherwise of the issue being appealed