Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 1

Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

245 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by the ASTI regarding proposals to diminish the pension entitlements of new entrants to teaching under the report of the working group on pensions; the Government's position in relation to recommendations in that report; if changes in the pension terms will take into account the existing commitments that have been given in national agreements and the special circumstances which prevail in the education sector; and if changes proposed will be negotiated with the representatives of those affected. [26127/03]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

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 in relation to 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. In this connection, I have noted the points made by the ASTI and I will bear them in mind in considering the matter.