asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that, no matter how many years efficient service single men or women teachers may have, it will take them four further years to reach the maximum of the new salary scales, and that such teachers of over 61 years of age will not have reached the maximum of the scales when they have to retire on pension at 65 and will thereby be in receipt of reduced pensions; and, if so, whether he will consider amending the new scales to remedy this position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Primary Teachers' Scale.
When the decision to abolish the highly efficient rating was arrived at, it was decided that teachers who had reached the maximum of the former scale for efficient teachers would proceed by annual increments to the maximum of the former scale for teachers who had been rated "highly efficient", with effect from the 1st April, 1949. The placing arrangements announced in connection with the new scales which came into operation from the 1st January, 1950, provide that each teacher will be placed in the appropriate new scale at the point corresponding to the point he has already reached in the scale existing previous to that date.
Women and single men teachers who were, at the date of the abolition of the highly efficient rating, at the maximum of the former "efficient" scale will, therefore, as the Deputy states, not reach the maximum of the new scales for four further years, such teachers if retiring in the meantime will not therefore receive the maximum pension which a teacher retiring on the maximum of the new scale i.e. a teacher rated "highly efficient" under the previous arrangement, will receive, but they will receive the benefits of the new superannuation terms. This means, that for women, the pension will be based on 1/60th of average annual salary for each year of pensionable service, instead of 1/80th for each year as heretofore.
Single men teachers, in addition to pension on the existing basis of 1/80th for each year of service, will receive a lump sum calculated at 1/30th of average annual salary for each year of pensionable service. In the calculation of average annual salary, whether for pension or for lump sum, teachers will have the benefit of the new salary rates for such part of the three year period as is subsequent to the 1st January, 1950.
In addition I would refer the Deputy to my reply given to Deputy Alfred P. Byrne on 14th December last in which there is contained the information that following full consideration by the Government of related matters at an interview which took place on the 7th December last between representatives of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation and the Taoiseach with other members of the Government, the Government decided that it was unable further to modify its proposals regarding the salaries, pensions and allowances of national teachers other than as indicated in my letter of the 23rd November to which reference is made in my reply to Deputy Byrne.