Vol. 573 No. 4
235 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Finance his plans to act on the recommendations in the report of the Commission on Public Service Pensions to increase the standard retirement age for new entrants to teaching and to remove for new entrants the capacity to retire between the ages of 55 and 60 after 35 years service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25804/03]
As the Deputy will be aware, in September 2001, the Government announced its decision to accept the thrust of the reforms suggested by the commission and to establish a working group, as provided for in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, to advise on implementation of its recommendations. The implementation working group, which comprised representatives from the public service unions, including representatives from teachers' unions, as well as relevant Departments, recently concluded its deliberations. Its report has now been finalised. When it has been fully considered I will bring my proposals regarding implementation to Government.
