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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 6

Written Answers. - Teachers' Early Retirement.

Question:

317 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Education her view on whether there is an anomaly in the situation whereby teachers must be 55 years of age and have 35 years service to qualify for early retirement in respect of those teachers who qualified at age 19; the number currently in service who must complete an extra year of service in order to qualify for early retirement; if, in view of this anomaly and the small numbers likely to be involved, she will change the regulations to relieve persons who qualified at 19 years of age of this discrimination; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Niamh Bhreathnach

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The norm in public service superannuation schemes for voluntary retirement with immediate pension is at age 60 provided at least five years of pensionable service have been completed. Teachers in primary schools covered by the National School Teachers' Superannuation Scheme already enjoy a more favourable retirement option in that they may retire voluntarily on immediate pension provided they have reached 55 years of age and have completed 35 years of pensionable service.

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

Details are not readily available from my Department's records of the number of national school teachers currently in service who will have in excess of 35 years pensionable service on reaching 55 years of age.

Any change in the provisions governing teachers superannuation would have to be considered in a public service wide context.

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