A policy document on ageing and older people circulated to the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party last night has called for the abolition of the mandatory retirement age at 65.
The 30-page report, compiled by Senator Mary White, is based on a year of research, and draws on public meetings on the issue.
The report, A New Approach to Ageing and Ageism, says there is a need to recognise that many public policies lack an understanding that older people are healthier, more active and have greater expectation for their life than previous generations.
On the issue of retirement, the document says older people should have the right to work beyond 65 if they wish. They should be subject to the same assessment of competency, ability and good health that is used to assess employees of all ages.
While new entrants to the public sector from April 2004 can continue to work after 65, an obligatory retirement age of 60 or 65 is normally set in the private sector. The report calls for progressive retirement strategies, such as phased retirement and part-time work, to be initiated. "At its core this is about providing real choice for older people who wish to continue working; choice for those who wish to retire gradually; and choice for those who wish to work part-time."
The report also examines ageism in healthcare and calls for the scrapping of upper age limits for cancer screening. It recommends that people should be referred to specialist treatments on a needs rather than age basis.
At present there is a 64-year-old age limit on breast screening and a 60-year-old age limit on cervical screening in the health service, according to the report. However, research suggests that women are at the highest risk of developing breast cancer between 55 and 75.
The report also urges action on the development of a national action plan on ageism based on a similar plan against racism; a new driving licence renewal programme which should be more age-friendly; measures to ensure insurance is not increased arbitrarily on the basis of age; and a back-to-education allowance to help older people pursue further education in retirement.
