Firefighters shouldn’t be forced to retire at 62 if they’re fit to serve – Kennelly

Firefighters who are medically and physically fit should be allowed to keep working until the State pension age, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Mike Kennelly has called on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne to bring forward changes allowing retained firefighters continue serving until 66, rather than forced to retire at 62 as things currently stand.

He said, “They respond to fires, road traffic collisions, flooding and all sorts of emergencies while juggling work and family commitments. Their dedication is invaluable.”

There are roughly 3,300 firefighters in Ireland, with around 2,000 of them retained. They staff most of the country’s 217 fire stations. Under current rules, retained firefighters can stay on beyond 55 subject to annual medical and fitness checks, but they then must retire at 62 no matter how fit they are.

Senator Kennelly said that leaves firefighters up to four years short of the State pension age with no choice but to walk away.

“If someone is fit, capable and willing to keep going, they should be allowed to. We don’t want a lowering of standards. There are already robust safeguards in place through annual assessments, and the fire authority must sign off on continued service anyway.”

He pointed out that the retirement age was only raised from 60 to 62 in 2024 because of recruitment and retention issues within the fire service. He said those issues haven’t gone away, and pushing out experienced firefighters unnecessarily only makes things worse.

“Forcing fit, experienced firefighters out at 62 is counterproductive. It risks weakening emergency response in communities that can’t afford to lose that capacity.”

Senator Kennelly also flagged the urgency of the issue, with firefighters approaching 62 in the coming weeks and months who could be forced out before any changes are made.

“I’ve asked the Minister to introduce a pause on compulsory retirements at 62 while the regulations are being sorted. It would be grossly unfair if firefighters were forced to retire now, only for the rules to change a few months later.”

He concluded saying the change makes common sense,

“These men and women have given their lives to protecting communities. If they’re still meeting the fitness standards, they should get the chance to keep serving until pension age.”