Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Apr 1990

Vol. 397 No. 9

Written Answers. - Teacher Retirement Facilities.

John Bruton

Question:

326 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education if a facility exists for teachers to retire, before the normal retirement age, with a pension that is pro-rata to the level of contributions which they have made; and if she will give details of these arrangements.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

National, secondary, comprehensive, community and vocational school teachers may continue to give pensionable service until the end of the school-year in which they reach the age of 65 years. However, they may retire earlier with immediate eligibility for a pension provided:

they have reached 60 years of age and have at least five years of pensionable service, or

they satisfy the Ministers for Education and Finance (or the VEC in the case of vocational teachers) that, while in the service, they have become incapable from infirmity of mind or body of discharging the duties of a teacher and that such infirmity is likely to be permanent, or in the case of national school teachers, they have reached 55 years of age and have at least 35 years of pensionable service.

Teachers with at least five years of pensionable service, who retire without immediate eligibility for a pension, may have their pension rights preserved and become eligible for a pension and lump sum on reaching 60 years of age.

The rate of pension is not related to the amount of contributions paid but to the length of pensionable service and the amount of the retiring pensionable salary.