The first report of the Interdepartmental Group on Fuller Working Lives has been described as "a useless piece of window dressing", by SIPTU General President Jack O'Connor.

The Group was established by the government in January to consider policy around retirement age in both the public and private sectors. It was charged with a number of objectives, including examining the implications arising from retirement ages now and in the future, making recommendations on a policy framework to address the issues identified and to support fuller working lives.

Commenting on the Group's first report, published on Friday 12 August, Mr O'Connor said: "This report simply repeats what is already well known and lists a few innocuous recommendations that will contribute nothing to resolving the problems confronting the future provision of adequate pensions for retirees. Unfortunately, it merely amounts to a useless exercise in window dressing."

Mr O'Connor also said the report "completely fails" to address the plight of older workers approaching mandatory retirement age.

He continued: "SIPTU has repeatedly called for an increase in job seekers benefit at 65 as a temporary measure to deal with this problem. Such a provision would cost as little as €5 million a year to cover those forced to retire at 65 and just €25 million for all 65 year olds who are dependent on the Social Welfare system.

"However, the long term solution involves the abolition of the mandatory retirement age to allow those wishing to work on, to do so, while still making provision for people in hazardous and heavy manual occupations to retire at 65."

(MH/CD)