Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 4 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 2

Written Answers. - Teachers' Early Retirement Scheme.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

145 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Education and Science the sum of money, if any, which was budgeted to pay the early retirement component of the teachers' proposals under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work; if not, the reason this sum was not expended; the reason this sum was not carried into their 1997 Education budget, thus allowing more teachers to avail of the offer in view of the fact that this sum was a committed part of the National Agreement, with an implementation date of 1996. [21756/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The scheme for the early retirement of teachers, negotiated under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work, was agreed with the INTO in autumn 1996 and with the other teachers' unions in spring 1997. Following agreement with the INTO, the scheme was introduced in the case of primary teachers in October 1996. The number of applications received for early retirement in 1996 was 64 which was well within the provision made.

In 1997, when the scheme was extended to teachers generally, the scheme provided for up to 400 retirements. Following notification of the scheme to schools in June 1997, applications were received from 185 teachers.

As this number was below the annual quota provided for, and at the request of the teacher unions, my Department invited further applications for early retirement in October 1997. Sixty-three further applications have been received and these are being processed.

The cost of all retirements arising in 1997 under the scheme for the early retirement of teachers are being met from Vote 45 — Increases in Remuneration and Pensions.