asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that Miss Mary Roche was retired from her position as assistant teacher in Warrenmount Convent School, Dublin, on March 31st, 1923, after having given approximately fifty years' service as a teacher, and that she has received no pension or gratuity of any kind whatsoever; whether this teacher is eligible for a pension or gratuity; if not, whether he will state the reasons for her ineligibility, and whether any steps have been taken, or are proposed to be taken, to secure that lay teachers in Convent Schools who retire after having given the necessary service will be paid a pension or gratuity as in the case of teachers in ordinary National Schools.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - DUBLIN TEACHER'S RETIREMENT.
Miss Mary Roche was employed for a number of years in an unrecognised capacity in Warrenmount Convent National School—a school which is paid on what is known as a Capitation basis. She was first placed on the recognised staff as a lay assistant on the 1st January, 1921, and recognition was withdrawn from her on 31st March, 1923, as she was over 65 years of age. Lay assistants in Convent schools paid on a Capitation basis are not included in the superannuation scheme for national teachers, and Miss Roche is, accordingly, not eligible for a pension or a gratuity.
The extension of the benefits of the Teachers' Pension Fund to lay assistants in Convent schools would require special legislation.
Mr. O'CONNELL:
Does the Minister dispute the fact that this woman was engaged for approximately 50 years as a teacher?
No. The facts, as I am informed, are as set out in the answer. She was first placed on the recognised staff as a lay assistant in January, 1921, and she ceased to be recognised in March of 1923, being then over 65 years of age.
Mr. O'CONNELL:
Would the Minister say whether he is prepared to introduce legislation which will bring these teachers of long service within the ambit of the superannuation scheme?
No. I have no legislation prepared on that point.