156 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Education if, in view of her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 317 on 27 April 1993, she accepts that within the context of parity among primary school teachers those who qualified at age 19 do in fact suffer a disability vis-à-vis their colleagues in that they are 54 when they have 35 years service yet must serve an extra year to qualify for the same retirement package; if so and if, in view of her reply stating that the matter would have to be considered in a public service wide context she will now undertake to ascertain the number of primary school teachers who are in the position referred to; if not, if she will give details of the reasons this information cannot, or will not, be made available; the steps, if any, she believes are appropriate in a public service wide context to have this anomaly resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Pension Entitlements.
National school teachers who retire at age 55, who have completed in excess of 35 years pensionable service, have their superannuation awards calculated by reference to actual pensionable service. Therefore I do not accept that such teachers are at a disadvantage.
The information on numbers so affected requested by the Deputy is not readily available. However, my Department will compile the information and forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The general matter of early retirement for teachers is the subject of a claim by the teachers' unions which is at present before the Teachers Conciliation Council since the matter is being considered at that forum further comment by me on the substance of this question, would be inappropriate at this time.