§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether(a) his Department and (b) agencies for which it is responsible (i) have a set retirement age which applies to all or most personnel and (ii) have a maximum age beyond which applications for employment will not be considered; and what the age is in each case. [186088]
§ Mr. PearsonThe compulsory age of retirement for all staff employed in the Northern Ireland Civil Service was raised to age 65 with effect from 4 October 2002. Staff who reach age 60 after that date have the option of remaining in post beyond age 60 and up to a maximum of 65.
An application for employment from any candidate who has not reached age 65 is considered valid.