Vol. 574 No. 1
244 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance his views on the allegation that there may be a change in the entitlement for teachers to retire between age 55 and 60 with 35 years' service in lieu of salary increases as introduced by the Programme for Competitiveness and Work; and if the limited flexibility availability in respect of early retirement for teachers will be maintained. [26123/03]
The issue of retirement age and early retirement was examined by the Commission on Public Service Pensions and, as the Deputy is aware, the commission made a number of proposals in this regard regarding teachers and others in the public service. The Government accepted the commission's report, in principle, in September 2001. The Government also decided to establish a joint working group with the public services committee of ICTU to examine and report on the implementation of the commission's recommendations. The working group has now reported. At present I am considering the recommendations of the pensions commission and the report of the working group with a view to drawing up proposals for implementation of appropriate pension reforms.
