Photograph: Alan BetsonA firefighter has said she is overpaying her mortgage every month because she fears that when she retires she won’t be able to afford the repayments with her current pension. Aisling Buffini (35), living in Co Kildare, joined Dublin Fire Brigade in 2020 as a firefighter and paramedic. Ms Buffini will have to retire at 62, which is the mandatory retirement age for firefighters, but cannot draw down her pension until she turns 66. Members and representatives of the uniformed services including gardaí, firefighters and members of Defence Forces launching a protest about pension changes mostly affecting younger members. This is an unacceptable slap in the face to thousands of dedicated frontline public service workers,” he said.

Source: The Irish Times January 28, 2026 12:34 UTC