Dan Neville
Question:155 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science when the increase in pensions introduced in mid-1999 will be paid to retired teachers formerly employed by County Limerick Vocational Education Committee. [20158/99]
Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.
The initial award of pension to retiring vocational school teachers and the subsequent revision of pension rates for those pensioners are calculated by VEC administrative staff and approved by the VEC committee. The payment function is performed by the appropriate local authority following receipt of the approved rates of pension from the VEC.
The benefits of a general and special pay increase under Partnership 2000 are payable to retired teachers with effect from 1 July 1999. On 14 July 1999 my Department conveyed by circular letter to the chief executive officers of VEC's the revised rates of salary and allowances together with sanction for their application to serving teachers' salaries and for the revision of pensions of former teachers.
I am informed by County Limerick VEC that, on 19 August 1999, details of revised entitlements effective from 1 July 1999 for pensioned teachers formerly employed by the VEC were forwarded to Limerick County Council, which has responsibility for payment.
I understand that Limerick County Council is processing arrears for several categories of its pensioners with a resultant backlog of work. However the council has now scheduled the payment of outstanding increases to pensioned vocational teachers for 19 November 1999.