Darren O'Rourke
Question:57. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education how many teachers are expected to retire in the next five months, by 8 September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17034/24]
View answerWednesday, 17 April 2024
Questions (57)
Written answers
The definitive numbers expected to retire by 8 September 2024 is not available.
It is difficult to predict the numbers who will retire each year, while most teachers retire at the end of the academic year, applications to retire are received throughout the course of the year. The decision to retire is a personal decision with most teachers choosing to retire before their compulsory retirement age, which is provided for under the rules of the pension schemes. In the first instance a teacher must notify their employer, the Board of Management of the School, or the relevant Education & Training Board (ETB), of their intention to retire. Separately the teacher must apply for their pension benefits, either to the Department or the relevant ETB.
In an effort to assist with the planning for the processing of retirement benefits, officials in the Pension Unit of the Department, on annual basis, contact each school and request data on potential retirements. The must up to date numbers available from this survey indicate that 278 teachers at primary level and 140 teachers at post primary level may retire by the end of the year. It is expected the numbers forecast above will fluctuate and, in this regard, should be considered an estimate. It should also be noted the above numbers do not include those teachers employed by the Education & Training Boards.
Question No. 58 answered with Question No. 55.