Vol. 509 No. 6
553 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science to make a statement on the remaining 2.5 per cent pension arrears which has yet to be awarded to teachers; the number of teachers who have been paid to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21138/99]
I take it that the question relates to arrears of pension due to some retired teachers and spouses of deceased teachers under Partnership 2000.
The first round of the first phase of Partnership 2000 was paid to all retired teachers and spouses of deceased teachers in autumn 1997. It amounted to the benefit in pension, with effect from 1 July 1997, of an increase corresponding to an increase of 2.5 per cent on the first £10,436 of annual pay.
The second round of the first phase, due on 1 April 1998, was an increase in pension of the balance due under the first phase. Furthermore, under the second phase of Partnership 2000, an increase in pension of 2.25 per cent was due with effect from 1 July 1998 and an increase of 1.5 per cent was due with effect from 1 July 1999; a further increase of 2.0 per cent under the local bargaining clause of Partnership 2000 also fell due with effect from 1 July 1999.
In view of the fact that the second round of the first phase of Partnership 2000 was related to a fixed amount, based on £10,436 of annual pay, it was necessary to complete the calculations of how much was due under the PCW agreement before the precise amount due under Partnership 2000 could be calculated.
The PCW agreement as it applies to teachers' pay and pensions is a complex one and its final elements, those concerning in-school management were not agreed until early 1998. As an interim measure, teachers who retired prior to the commencement date of the PCW agreement, 1 July 1994 in the case of teachers, together with spouses to whom a spouses' pension became payable prior to the commencement date of the PCW Agreement, received in January 1998 an increase of 2 per cent in pension backdated to 1 May 1996. Interim payments were also made under Partnership 2000. An interim increase of 3 per cent under Partnership 2000 was paid to all pensioners in December 1998 backdated to 1 July 1998. In August 1999 a further 3.53 per cent under Partnership 2000 was paid effective from 1 July 1999.
During 1998 and 1999 work has continued on the task of applying the full benefits of the increases under PCW and Partnership 2000 to pensioners and paying any balances due in excess of the interim payments. The arrears have now been cleared in the case of the vast majority of the 11,000 pensioners and these pensioners are now on the correct rate of pension. In the case of the remaining pensioners, about 500, it is my Department's aim to complete the work and make payment in full before Christmas 1999.
