Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 May 2000

Vol. 518 No. 6

Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.

Pat Carey

Ceist:

605 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will examine the pension entitlements of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who is deemed as ineligible for a pension under the national school teachers superannuation scheme; whether bilateral agreements between Ireland and Australia would enhance her pension entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13095/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The position is that the person in question gave service as a teacher in Ireland in the 1960s and has also given service as a teacher in Australia. Her service in Ireland from September 1961 to 1 July 1962 is non-pensionable as it was given in a substitute capacity. Her service in Ireland from 2 July 1962 to 2 September 1962 and 2 September 1963 to 26 August 1969 was given as a member of a religious order in schools that were funded under the capitation system and in which the members of the religious order were not paid personal salary. This service was not pensionable when given.

As a result of changes negotiated at the conciliation council for teachers in recent years, service given on the approved staff of capitation schools may be reckoned for pension purposes in full in the case of any teacher who is employed in pensionable service on or after 1 February 1996. A contribution of 6% of pay at retirement is payable in the case of service given from 1 July 1968 when the national teachers' superannuation scheme became a contributory scheme.

The service between 1962 and 1969 may be reckoned only if the person referred to by the Deputy returns to teaching in Ireland in a temporary or permanent capacity before reaching compulsory retirement age, that is, before 31 August 2009. Any pensionable service given on return would be aggregated with the service from 2 July 1962 on ultimate retirement.

There are no reciprocal arrangements at present between Ireland and Australia for the transfer of occupational pension rights.