Public Sector Staff Retirements

Tuesday, 3 March 2015

Questions (490)

James Bannon

Question:

490. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on extending the retirement period in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who is in exceptional circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9009/15]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

In accordance with the Superannuation scheme a Special Needs Assistant (SNA) who is not "a new entrant" under the terms of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, must retire at the end of the school year in which he/she reaches age 65.

The abolition of the compulsory retirement age under the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 applies to new entrants only. The retirement provisions which apply to public servants (including SNAs) who are not new entrants are not affected by the Act and there are no proposals to remove the compulsory retirement age in the case of such staff.

As the person referred to by the Deputy is not a new entrant and will reach age 65 during the current school year they must retire at the end of the 2014/2015 school year.