asked the Minister for Education if he will state (a) the number of retired national teachers alive on 31st October, 1951, who were not granted a retiring gratuity; (b) the sum of money required to pay those teachers this gratuity and (c) whether it is intended to pay the gratuity to all pensioned teachers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Retired Teachers' Gratuity.
Mr. Lynch
(a) The number of national teachers who were in receipt of pensions on the 31st October, 1951, and who had not been granted a retiring gratuity apart from pension was 2,716.
(b) It is estimated that the cost of providing a retiring gratuity to those 2,716 pensioners on the basis of that granted to teachers who retired after the 31st December, 1949, would be about £1,090,000.
(c) As I have already indicated in reply to a similar query on this point on the 9th instant, careful consideration is being given to the representations made by and on behalf of the pensioners that they should receive a retiring gratuity and an announcement of the decision which will be reached in the matter will not be long delayed.
The remaining questions will be put on to-morrow's Order Paper.