Vol. 510 No. 3
416 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teachers at primary and secondary levels who retired under the provisions of agreement under the PCW for early retirement from the start of the scheme to date; if he will give details of these retirements; the number of teachers replacing them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22726/99]
The early retirement scheme for teachers is a voluntary scheme which consists of three strands. Strand 1 is available to teachers who are experiencing professional difficulties, strand 2 is available to teachers aged 55 or more and who have difficulty in adapting to change, strand 3 is available in the case of teachers who are surplus to requirements.
The scheme was introduced in 1996 for primary teachers and in 1997 for teachers generally. The number of teachers who retired each year under each strand is set out in the tabular statement. Posts arising from retirements under strands 1 and 2 are fillable and in all cases where the school authorities have declared it to be necessary, a replacement has been approved. In accordance with the provisions of the early retirement scheme, posts arising from retirement under strand 3 may not be filled.
The 1999 figures in the tabular statement do not include two cases, one primary strand 2 and one secondary strand 1, where the application has been approved but a decision from the teachers regarding acceptance is still awaited.
Number of Primary and Second Level Teachers who retired under the Early Retirement Scheme in the period 1996-1999
|
Year |
Category |
Strand I |
Strand II |
Strand III |
Total |
|
1996 |
Primary |
7 |
17 |
7 |
31 |
|
1997 |
Primary |
19 |
28 |
10 |
57 |
|
Second Level |
35 |
57 |
30 |
122 |
|
|
1998 |
Primary |
15 |
21 |
9 |
45 |
|
Second Level |
30 |
29 |
36 |
95 |
|
|
1999 |
Primary |
13 |
23 |
2 |
38 |
|
Second Level |
44 |
29 |
44 |
117 |
|
|
Total 1996-99 |
163 |
204 |
138 |
505 |
