Tony Gregory
Question:207 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education if she will review a decision to refuse arrears to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 in view of the special circumstances of the case. [2292/97]
Written Answers. - Degree Allowance.
Under the statutory national teachers' superannuation schemes a number of conditions must be satisfied in order for a teacher to be awarded a degree allowance, and for that allowance to be then included in calculations for pensionable reckreckoning. For the purposes of pensionable reckoning, in order to benefit fully from a qualification allowance it must be held for a minimum of three years prior to retirement. If it is held for any period less than three years the benefit is averaged accordingly.
In order to be awarded the qualification allowance in the first instance, a teacher must have given pensionable service after the conferral of the degree, and must formally apply to have that degree recognised by my Department. As the teacher in question had retired on 31 August 1987 and the conferring of the B. Ed. Degree did not take place until 16 October 1987 it would not have been possible to have been in receipt of the qualification allowance while in pensionable service. I regret that it is not therefore possible to have such allowance reflected in the teacher's pension.