asked the Minister for Education if he will state (a) the number of national teachers in excess of requirements trained during the years 1938-39; (b) the number of lady national teachers between the ages of 60 and 65 years compelled to retire to make room for teachers over normal requirements trained during the said years; (c) the number of lady national teachers compelled to retire on reduced pensions for the same reasons; and (d) what are his proposals to compensate the lady national teachers so compulsorily retired on reduced pensions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Retirement of Teachers.
(a) The number of national teachers, men and women, trained during the 1936/38 and 1937/39 courses was 247 (89 men and 158 women) and 206 (63 men and 143 women), respectively.
As a result of the continuing decline in the school-going population, it was found in 1938 that earlier measures taken to limit recruitment of teachers were inadequate and that the number of men and women teachers trained over some years prior to 1938 was considerably in excess of requirements, so that a large number could not find employment: in 1938 the number of trained men and women teachers awaiting posts was approximately 361 and 334, respectively, as compared with an estimated number of 110 vacancies for each sex. It was urgently necessary, therefore, in the interests of these young teachers and in face of numerous representations made by them and on their behalf, to take immediate steps to create additional vacancies for them.
The retirement of women teachers at 60 years of age, or on completing 35 years of pensionable service, was one of these measures—others being the permanent closing of one of the training colleges for men, the temporary closing of certain avenues of recruitment, the alteration of the average attendance conditions governing the appointment of teachers, and the creation of new types of posts. According to the superannuation scheme for national teachers the retiring age for women teachers is 60, but they may be allowed to continue for a further period with the Minister's permission, and for many years prior to 1938 it was the practice to give this permission to serve to 65; each teacher concerned, on reaching 60, being informed year by year that she was being continued for a further year subject to efficient service. The discontinuance of this practice was, in view of the terms of the superannuation scheme, no infringement of the rights of the teachers concerned, but in any case where hardship could be shown the teacher was given an extension beyond 60, the length of which was determined by the circumstances. As from 1st January, 1945, when the position regarding unemployment had improved, it was again found possible to give women teachers as a body permission to serve beyond 60.
(b) The number of women teachers who retired under the Department's regulations between 1st October, 1928, and 31st December, 1944, before reaching the age of 65 was 788.
(c) Of these 788 teachers, 645 had less than 40 years' pensionable service.
(d) I regret that in view of the terms of the superannuation scheme for national teachers it would not be possible to concede that these teachers had any claim to compensation by reason of being compelled to retire before reaching the age of 65.