Derek McDowell
Ceist:15 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the recent delays in the processing of pension payments to early retired post-primary and primary teachers. [16710/97]
Written Answers - Teachers' Pensions.
Some delays have occurred in processing pension entitlements under the early retirement scheme which the Deputy will be aware is in the first year of operation.
It is very important to ensure that teachers are given full credit for all pensionable service. The verification of this service is quite a complex process, particularly in the case of second level teachers, where membership of the superannu ation scheme has been voluntary. In many instances, teaching service extends over a long number of years and may relate to a number of different schools.
Where delays have occurred my Department has issued payment on account of monthly pensions to individual teachers. This payment on account approximates closely to the actual monthly rate of pension.
I can confirm that all primary teachers who accepted offers of early retirement have received lump sum payments and will be in receipt of regular monthly pension payments from the end of October. Second level teachers paid directly by my Department have received payments on account of pension and all will have received their lump sum payments by 31 October. Following this they receive monthly pension payments.