Increase in mandatory retirement age for Prison Officers
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From: Department of Justice
- Published on: 19 August 2024
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
The mandatory retirement age of prison officers has increased from 60 to 62 with effect from today.
The provisions which facilitate an increased mandatory retirement age for Gardaí will follow shortly, and, in the interim, the existing retirement age extension and retention arrangements in An Garda Síochána continue to apply.
The increase is to the maximum retirement age, and people will still be able to continue to retire at 60 if they wish.
The increase in the mandatory retirement age was included in the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024, which was led by the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee.
Welcoming the change, Minister McEntee who progressed the necessary primary legislation said:
“This change to the retirement age reflects the reality across all sectors that people can and want to work in their chosen careers for longer. I am confident our uniformed public services will benefit from the extended contribution of these experienced staff members. The new retirement age for prison officers comes into effect from today and I look forward to bringing forward the relevant provisions for Gardaí in the early autumn.
“The public service careers covered by these regulations represent some of the most challenging, if incredibly rewarding, for those that choose them. I hope that offering this option to our most experienced staff members to work for longer in those careers will provide more opportunities for new recruits to learn from their unmatched skills, knowledge, and expertise, ultimately strengthening these bodies.”
The mandatory retirement for firefighters and members of the Permanent Defence Forces has also increased from 60 to 62 with effect from today.
ENDS..//
Notes to editors:
• These regulations were made possible by the enactment of Section 28 of the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 on 17 July 2024.
• This step amended section 8 of the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956 to provide that the Minister for Justice may (with the consent of the Minister of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform) make regulations setting the mandatory retirement age of prisoner officers.
Useful links:
Government approve decision to increase retirement age of Gardaí, Defence Forces and Prison Officers