WORKFORCE: What about people over the age of 65 who are participating in the workforce right now? The National Council on Ageing and Older People is concerned at the low numbers of over-65s receiving an income from employment, writes Clare O'Dea

The council has previously called for an easing of the structural rigidity in the labour market as regards retirement and has called for flexible retirement options.

There are numerous barriers to employment for older people and practices that do little to encourage older workers to remain in or rejoin the workforce. To begin with, there is a lack of suitable jobs for older workers, mainly because flexible working arrangements are not widely available.

There is also concern about the impact of paid employment on pensions and benefits, and a lack of awareness of the value of older workers. Age discrimination can also be a problem. FÁS training is not available to people over 65.

The Old Age Contributory Pension is a social insurance-based payment made to people at age 66. This is not a means-tested payment. A person can receive payment of Old Age Contributory Pension and continue to work or have other income such as an occupational pension.

The Old Age Non-Contributory Pension is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 or over who do not qualify for Retirement Pension or Old Age Contributory Pension based on their social insurance record.

Three key pieces of legislation relating to workplace practices do not apply to those over 65. The Employment Equality Act, The Redundancy Payment Acts and the Unfair Dismissal Acts have age limits. This means that workers aged over 65 are not protected in employment.