asked the Minister for Education the number of (a) male and (b) female primary teachers aged 65 years or over who hitherto would have been granted extended teaching service and who now must retire at the end of this academic year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Extended Teaching Service.
16.
Mr. R. Burke
It is not possible to state the number of teachers who might have been granted such extension of service beyond 65 years of age because (a) it has not been the practice for all teachers due to retire to apply for such extensions; (b) not all those who applied in previous years fulfilled the conditions on which extensions were allowed and (c) not all those to whom extensions were granted availed themselves of the extension for the full three years.
I may add, however, that the number on extended service in the present school year 1974-75 is 420.
Could the Minister tell me what percentage of those due to retire in the normal way have been opting to continue and have been accepted?
Mr. R. Burke
It is a variable percentage, but I suppose one could say that approximately 80 per cent who reach retiring age would avail themselves of an extension if it were available.
Would the Minister not agree that to remove 360 teachers on average each year is a very retrograde step in view of the fact that we have made no significant steps towards reducing the pupil-teacher ratio and that there is a dire shortage of remedial teachers? If these teachers were left in the service for three years it would help to provide remedial teachers and to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio.
Mr. R. Burke
I would not agree with the Deputy that there have been no significant steps to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio. This was done in 1973 and in 1974.
Question No. 17 withdrawn.