Vol. 385 No. 4
asked the Minister for Education when she will offer further voluntary redundancy/early retirement to national school teachers; and if she will consider favourably the application of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary under any new scheme.
89.
asked the Minister for Education if she will grant early retirement to all teachers over 50 years of age who applied for voluntary redundancy thereby creating new posts for young unemployed teachers.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 89 together.
The aim of the voluntary redundancy scheme is to reduce the number of teaching posts in excess of quota or normal allocation in 1988-89 which cannot be eliminated in other ways such as natural wastage, redeployment or career breaks.
Voluntary redundancy has been granted to teachers in this sector following consideration by my Department of the recommendations of the relevant school management authority in regard to the educational needs of the school or VEC scheme, together with the circumstances of particular teachers, and the overall cost. It is not intended to grant early retirement to all teachers over 50 years of age.
I am not yet in a position to say if it will be possible to offer any further early retirements in the primary teaching sector under the voluntary redundancy/early retirement scheme.
