Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2004
59 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in relation to transferability of pension entitlements arising from years of teaching service in Northern Ireland and the Republic, the report of the actuaries is available to the working group; and when he expects this issue to be completed. [14108/04]
View answerThe joint working group on teachers superannuation, set up on foot of a decision of the North-South Ministerial Council, is examining the feasibility and implication of establishing reciprocal arrangements to facilitate the transfer of pension entitlements between the jurisdictions. As part of the working group's consideration of a range of complex issues involved, the group asked actuaries on both sides to examine the financial implication of the possible approach to cross-Border transfer of teaching service.
It is expected that the actuaries will present a preliminary report to the next meeting of the working group. The meeting, scheduled to take place on 18 May, has had to be deferred due to the unavailability of some representatives from Northern Ireland on that date. It is planned to reschedule the meeting for early June on a date yet to be agreed. The unavailability of the representatives arises as a consequence of ongoing industrial action by some civil servants in Northern Ireland.
In my previous reply on this matter on 19 February last, I explained that the working group is very much aware that the superannuation of teachers cannot be considered in isolation, and that any proposals for the transfer of pension entitlements will have to take account of the implications for the public service generally. In view of the range of considerations to be taken into account by the working group, it is not possible at this stage to say when the group will complete its work.
