The professional added years terms for members of the Education Sector Superannuation Scheme in Institutes of Technology were introduced by the Department of the Environment in 1987, Circular S6/1987.
In accordance with scheme rules, there is provision for the granting of a gross award of up to ten professional added years where the minimum age limit or qualifications and/or experience specified for appointment to a permanent pensionable professional, technical or specialist post in an Institute of Technology would not allow an individual to be appointed by age 25 and thereby acquire maximum reckonable service (40 years) by age 65. A contribution is payable in respect of added years awarded under the scheme: 5% of retiring salary in respect of each year purchasable (6% if the employee is a member of the Spouses' and Children's Scheme). From 2002 to date, 110 individuals employed in the Institute of Technology sector have been awarded professional added years at retirement. The average award was 3.25 years.
The table below outlines in tabular form the information sought by the Deputy:
Institutes of Technology — Added Years Awards 2002 to date
|
Institute of Technology
|
No. of Awards
|
Grade/Post
|
Professional Qualification
|
No. of years to acquire qualifications and experience
|
No. of added years awarded
|
|
|
|
|
|
Range of years
|
Average no. of years
|
|
Athlone IT
|
3
|
Lecturer
|
Degree/Membership of Professional body
|
From 7 to 8 years
|
3.271 years
|
|
Carlow IT
|
6
|
Lecturer
|
Degree/Apprenticeship
|
From 7 to 10 years
|
1.8399 years
|
|
Cork IT
|
29
|
Lecturer
|
Degree/Apprenticeship/ Membership of professional body/First class certificate of competency
|
From 7 to 10 years
|
3.5023 years
|
|
Dublin IT
|
25
|
Lecturer
|
Degree/Apprenticeship/ Membership/Fellowship of professional body
|
From 7 to 10 years
|
3.0029 years
|
|
Dundalk IT
|
8
|
Lecturer
|
Degree/Apprenticeship/ Membership of professional body
|
From 7 to 10 years
|
2.3271 years
|
|
Galway-Mayo IT
|
6
|
Lecturer
|
Degree/Apprenticeship
|
From 7 to 10 years
|
2.9986 years
|
|
Letterkenny IT
|
2
|
Lecturer
|
Apprenticeship/Membership of professional body
|
From 7 to 10 years
|
4.2883 years
|
|
Limerick IT
|
12
|
Lecturer
|
Degree/Apprenticeship/ Membership of professional body/First class certificate of competency
|
From 7 to 10 years
|
5.4256 years
|
|
IT Sligo
|
12
|
Lecturer
|
Degree/PhD/Apprenticeship/ Membership of professional body
|
From 7 to 10 years
|
3.2857 years
|
|
IT Tralee
|
6
|
Lecturer
|
Degree/Apprenticeship
|
From 7 to 10 years
|
1.5402 years
|
|
Waterford IT
|
1
|
Lecturer
|
Degree
|
From 7 to 8 years
|
1 year
|
|
Total
|
110
|
|
|
|
Average overall award was 3.25 years
|
