Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2004
217 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if the new proposal regarding the retirement age for national teachers will apply to the final year students in Mary Immaculate training college, Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8383/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004 provides for the raising of the minimum pension age of most new entrants to the public service, including teachers, to age 65. It also provides for the removal of the compulsory retirement age for most new entrants to the public service, including teachers. A detailed definition of new entrant is given in section 2 of the Bill.
The definition provides, broadly, that persons entering employment in the public service on or after 1 April 2004 will be regarded as new entrants. The new arrangements do not apply to public servants who are serving on 31 March 2004. A broad scope has been given to the term "serving" in the context of the Bill. The general principle is that anyone who has an employment relationship with the public service as of 31 March 2004 will not be deemed to be a new entrant.
I cannot comment on the position of individual students. The application to them of the proposed new terms would depend on whether or not they fall within the definition of new entrant if they take up employment in the public service.
