As this is my first time addressing the Minister of State, I welcome her to her position and look forward to working with her in the time ahead. The Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025 aims to help employees who are forced to retire before the State pension age of 66. It allows employees to choose not to retire at the contractual age if it is below 66 unless the employer has a valid reason. The Bill also prevents employers from penalising employees who wish to continue working past retirement age. Its goal is to bridge the income gap for early retirees, encourage longer working lives and support broader pension reforms to ensure stable and predictable retirement incomes which we in Independent Ireland support. I propose that the retirement age be reinstated to its original threshold of 65 years. Additionally, individuals who are capable and willing to continue working beyond this age should have the right to do so. However, the problem is that we have so many issues in relation to people who deserve respect at any age. I know a gentleman in my constituency in west Cork whose pension was withdrawn a few weeks ago. I raised this in the Dáil. He had an operation and his doctor advised him to take some time abroad if he could. He did and his pension was taken away from him. He is on a non-contributory pension.
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I am talking about this gentleman who is beyond the retirement age.
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Will the Ceann Comhairle let me talk and let me finish my bit of time?
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It is very relevant. In fairness to a person who has the pension and is trying to enjoy life at 75 years of age, that is unfair. That needs to be looked at as part of this Bill going forward. We certainly should look at that. We should look at Bus Éireann as well. Up until 2008 CIÉ pensioners were awarded increases to their pensions in line with pay increases to active staff.
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No increase in pensions has been approved by the CIÉ board since 2008. The whole point I am trying to make is that this could also be brought in under this Bill. These are people who have not had a pension increase. They are in the Ceann Comhairle's constituency and in my constituency. Since 2008, for 16 years, despite repeated requests and representations the majority of CIÉ pensioners who are members of the 1951 scheme have no other income and do not qualify for the State pension because as public servants they paid class D1. They did not have a choice when they joined CIÉ - it was the only option. Since 2008, the consumer price index has increased by 20.8%. The State pension has increased by 24% before adding the living alone allowance and the fuel allowance. Since 2016, CIÉ salaries for active staff have increased by approximately 30% while the increase for pensioners has been nil. That is the point I am trying to make. While this Bill is very important and we support it, other improvements need to be made. People in their elderly years need more respect but this is not being afforded to them. I listed a few of the issues there. Community employment workers are coming to me looking to see whether they can continue their work. They have been refused this. Local community and voluntary groups are desperate to keep these workers on board but they cannot do so. I would appreciate it if the Minister of State could look into these issues as well. Women's pensions constitute a hugely important issue. Many women in retirement come to us. They have worked hard all their lives but have been left without a pension, which is very unfair. While this Bill is going in the right direction and we support it, other areas like women's pensions should be looked at. These women have worked hard and deserve this but have been refused this little bit of extra pension or even a pension at all, or much of their pension is based on their husbands' income. This has to stop. These women deserve respect but, unfortunately, they are not afforded it. These issues need serious attention. I am very concerned about a lot of women who worked very hard and got zero pension in some cases, which is not good enough for a State that prides itself in looking after its elderly. It certainly has not looked after some women who have come to me down through the years. I have found that they have been left wide open regarding any kind of pension. One cannot base a woman's pension on her husband's salary or pension. That has to stop.
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