Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Jul 1932

Vol. 43 No. 6

Secondary Teachers' Superannuation (Amendment) Scheme, 1932.

Minister for Education (Mr. Derrig)

I beg to move:

"Go ndaingnítear Scéim Aois-Liúntais na Meán-Mhúinteoirí (Leasú), 1932, a dhein an tAire Oid-eachais, le haontú an Aire Airgid, fé Acht Aois-Liúntais na Múinteoirí, 1928 (Uimh. 32 de 1928) agus do leagadh fé bhráid na Dála, Dé Máirt, 28adh Meitheamh, 1932.

That the Secondary Teachers' Superannuation (Amendment) Scheme, 1932, made by the Minister for Education, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, under the Teachers' Superannuation Act, 1928 (Number 32 of 1928), and laid before the Dáil on Tuesday, 28th June, 1932, be confirmed."

Professor O'Sullivan

We have no objection to this particular proposal. I presume the Minister knows that this had been agreed upon actually before the change of Government. I can recommend it to the House. I think when the scheme was originally introduced it was pointed out that every care was taken to see that every legitimate case would be covered and that in itself occasioned a certain amount of delay in producing the scheme. We thought we had covered every case of that kind, but as a result of the experience of a couple of years it was found there were numbers of cases in which there were genuine teachers involved who should come under the pension rule but they were ruled out by the exact letter of the rule. For that purpose it was proposed to change the rule along the lines upon which it has now been changed, namely, altering the period of years and bringing in the other qualifications about two-thirds. I think that will meet a number of Deputies who are still in the House and who brought forward cases for the consideration of the last Minister for Education and the present Minister. I am sure the cases they mentioned will be met or practically met by the present rules.

Mr. M. Hayes

There was one particular case, that of a secondary teacher who had been engaged in teaching and who then became an official of the Teachers' Association. He was endeavouring under this particular scheme to have his service as an official of the Association counted as secondary school teaching. I think that case has been met under the altered rules. Perhaps the Minister will indicate whether it can be met under the new rules that are now being submitted?

Professor Thrift

Perhaps the Minister will indicate whether there are any other points, besides the two referred to by Deputy O'Sullivan, which are covered in the new scheme? What is the Government's policy with regard to teachers who obtain a superannuation allowance? Of course it is obvious they cease to be recognised teachers except in so far as a superannuation allowance is concerned; but do the Government take cognisance of whether or not they obtain employment of any kind after they become entitled to superannuation? Are they free agents in that matter? I would like the Minister to give me an answer on that question. It is difficult to determine the course of the new regulations without some explanation. Will the Minister say whether the two points mentioned by Deputy O'Sullivan are the only points covered in the new scheme?

Mr. Derrig

With regard to the point mentioned by Deputy Hayes, I am informed that the position in regard to the teacher in question has been settled. I have had no notice of the other questions and, at the moment, I am not in a position to explain exactly how the matter stands. If Deputies agree, perhaps the best thing would be that I should communicate with them officially in regard to the matters raised. I am not in a position now to deal with them fully.

Mr. Hayes

That is quite satisfactory.

Motion agreed to.