Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 2

Written Answers. - Early Retirement Scheme.

Bernard Allen

Question:

51 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teachers at primary and secondary level who have taken early retirement in each of the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28279/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The figures sought by the Deputy are set out in the following tabular statement.

The early retirement scheme for teachers is voluntary. It is open to teachers to apply for early retirement under three strands. Strand one is available to teachers who are experiencing professional difficulties. Strand two is available to teachers aged 55 or more who have difficulty in adapting to change, while strand three is available in the case of teachers who are surplus to requirements.

Applications under strand one and strand two of the scheme are processed by an early retirement advisory committee – ERAC – which makes recommendations to my Department. ERAC has four members: an independent chairperson, one nominee of the teachers' unions, one nominee of the school management bodies and one member representing my Department and the Department of Finance.

My Department determines applications under strand three by reference to the factual position regarding the staffing requirements of schools. Retirements under strand one and strand three are subject to an overall quota, in aggregate, of 150 per year. Retirements under strand two are subject to an overall quota of 250 per year.

The early retirement scheme is a pilot scheme. The Commission on Public Service Pensions in its final report, which was published earlier this year, recommended that the pilot scheme be continued for a further five years, at which time it should be reviewed.

The figures in the tabular statement for second level retirements cover secondary, community, comprehensive and VEC schools.

Number of Primary and Second Level Teachers who retired under the Early Retirement Scheme in the period 1998-2001

Year	Category	Strand1	Strand2	Strand3	Total
1998	PrimarySecond Level	1532	2130	936	4598
1999	PrimarySecond Level	1345	2429	244	39118
2000	PrimarySecond Level	1554	1431	538	34123
2001	PrimarySecond Level	1040	1728	237	29105
Overall Total1998-2001		224	194	173	591

N.B. The figures for retirements in 2001 do not include two applications (strand one) which remain to be processed to conclusion.