asked the Minister for Education (a) the number of full-time teachers between the ages of 55 and 65 who are employed at present in second-level schools throughout the country; (b) the net cost/benefit in salaries to the State, if all those full-time second-level teachers between the ages of 55 and 65 were to retire on half salary, and be replaced by young graduates on the starting point of the salary scale with the basic minimum qualification allowances; (c) when he intends to end the present discrimination against second-level teachers by allowing them equality with their first-level colleagues in the matter of entitlement to retirement at the age of 55 years; and if he will make a statement on these matters.
Written Answers. - Second-level Teachers.
81.
(a) The number of secondary, community and comprehensive school teachers currently being paid incremental salary by my Department who were born between 1 August 1922 and 31 July is 1,099. The corresponding number of vocational teachers is not readily available.
(b) If all those 1,099 teachers were to retire on maximum pension and be replaced by young graduates with basic qualifications, the net cost to the Department in the first year is estimated to be £28 million, approximately, taking account of salaries, qualification allowances, pensions and retirement gratuities. There would be an additional net cost arising from the effect of other allowances on the amount of pensions payable.
(c) Two of the teacher unions have lodged a claim with the Conciliation Council for Teachers for the reduction of the minimum retirement age to 55 years where the teacher has completed at least 35 years pensionable service. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on a claim which is the subject of negotiations at the Conciliation Council for Teachers.