Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 1

Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.

Pat Carey

Ceist:

250 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of proposals in the Report of the Commission on Public Service Pension and specifically with regard to the pensions of second level teachers, there are intentions to change the entitlement of teachers to retire between ages 55 and 60 with 35 years' service and the limited early retirement scheme introduced as part of the national agreement, the Programme for Competitiveness and Work, in lieu of salary increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26249/03]

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 the case of 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 in the letter from ASTI which has been brought to my attention by the Deputy and I will bear them in mind in considering the matter.