Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2018
248. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the pension entitlement record of a teacher (details supplied) will be updated; the reason for the delay in doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53394/18]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that no request for a statement of pensionable service was submitted by the teacher to whom he refers; a statement of pensionable service was issued to her in 2016.
The teacher in question worked in both a substitute and temporary capacity during various periods commencing in March 2002 and ending in December 2007, when she secured a permanent teaching post.
The records held by my Department indicate that she had a break in service from June 28th 2006 to March 4th 2007, a period in excess of 26 weeks and as a result on recommencing employment she was deemed to be new entrant.
The term "new entrant" is defined in detail in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 Act. In broad general terms, a new entrant to employment in the public service is a person who first commences employment on or after 1 April 2004, or who returns to employment on or after that date following a break in public service employment of more than 26 weeks.
I have arranged for officials in my Department to contact the teacher concerned directly to discuss any queries she may have with regard to her pension entitlements.
