Bernard Allen
Question:22 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education when she proposes introducing the early retirement scheme for teachers as promised by her at the recent teacher conferences; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Early Retirement Scheme.
Donal Carey
Question:28 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Education when she proposes introducing the early retirement scheme for teachers as promised by her at the recent teacher conferences; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Máirín Quill
Question:37 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Education if she will give details of her proposals for early retirement for second level teachers which she announced at the ASTI Conference on 13 April 1993.
Peter Barry
Question:57 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Education when she proposes introducing the early retirement scheme for teachers as promised by her at the recent teacher conferences; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Theresa Ahearn
Question:74 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education if she intends to reduce the retirement age for teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Paul Bradford
Question:87 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Education when she proposes introducing the early retirement scheme for teachers as promised by her at the recent teacher conference; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 28, 37, 57, 74 and 87 together.
I indicated that I was prepared to examine proposals for such a scheme.
I have directed that the issue of early retirement for teachers be fully examined by my Department. Among the aspects of the issue to be considered are the costs of an early retirement scheme, its effects on job creation and how it would be dealt with under the terms of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress agreement on pay and conditions.
The teacher unions have been pressing for some years for the introduction of an early retirement scheme. They recently submitted a joint claim to the Conciliation Council for Teachers seeking that teachers be entitled to retire from the teaching service on a pension from 50 years of age with enhanced years for pension purposes.
Negotiations on the issue of early retirement for teachers will have to take place within the forum of the teachers conciliation council. Under the terms of the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for Teachers, the proceedings of the council are confidential. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for me to comment as to the possible outcome of such negotiations.