The Minister apologies for her absence. Unfortunately, a prior engagement took precedence but I will do my best to reply on her behalf.
I thank the Members for bringing these matters to the attention of the House and for affording me the opportunity to reply on behalf of the Minister.
The three teachers unions submitted a joint claim to the Teachers' Conciliation Council requesting that teachers be entitled to retire from teaching service on a pension from 50 years of age on the basis of accrued pension with ten added years. This claim was lodged in December 1992, before the present Minister for Education took office, and replaced earlier claims from the teacher unions for early retirement.
In April 1993 the Minister indicated that she was prepared to have discussions with all interested parties which would examine proposals on early retirement for teachers. The teachers unions' claim for early retirement is appropriate for discussion by the Teachers' Conciliation Council. It must, therefore, be considered in accordance with the provisions of the scheme of conciliation and arbitration for teachers.
In a statement authorised by the conciliation council in March 1994 the official side acknowledged that there is a case for early retirement arrangements for teachers in an integrated programme aimed at improving aspects of the teaching service. As part of this process it agreed, in principle, to negotiate changes in the teachers' superannuation schemes which would allow for early retirement provisions (a) in the case of those teachers who no longer find themselves able to function at an acceptable level of professional performance and (b) in situations where there are teachers who are surplus to requirements but who cannot readily be transferred elsewhere. It was also agreed that all outstanding aspects of the teachers unions' claim for early retirement would be examined by a working group of the Teachers' Conciliation Council. All parties to the council agreed that discussion in the working group would be substantive and would be concluded by 30 September 1994.
The terms of the conciliation and arbitration scheme for teachers stipulate:
That matters within the scope of the scheme will be dealt with exclusively through the machinery of the scheme, and that the proceedings of the Council are confidential and no statements concerning them may be issued except with the authority of the Council.
A meeting of the conciliation council for teachers was held last Friday, 10 February 1995. A number of issues were on the agenda for the meeting including the joint claim from the three teacher unions for early retirement. No statement was agreed about matters discussed at the meeting. However, in view of public comments made on the matter, the Minister considers that a statement should be made on behalf of the official side.
In line with the conciliation council agreed statement of March 1994 the official side's approach to dealing with the early retirement claim has been three-pronged in addressing major issues of concern. These are:
Teachers who because of stress and other difficulties find themselves unable to function at acceptable levels of professional performance; teachers who are surplus to requirements because of school closure, amalgamations and enrolment decline and cannot be redeployed; general early retirement provisions for teachers.
Proposals on procedure for early retirement for teachers experiencing professional difficulties were presented by the official side early last summer. This issue was tackled first by the official side because it addressed the problems caused by teacher stress. Increasing stress levels in teaching was the main argument advanced by the unions in support of early retirement. Indeed it was this factor in particular which led the Minister to indicate in April 1993 that she was favourably disposed to negotiations on this issue.
Progress on early retirement arrangements for teachers experiencing professional difficulties and for surplus teachers was delayed because the teacher unions would not discuss these issues further until the official side responded to the third item — the demand for a general early retirement provision. Due to the significance of the questions involved for public service pension provisions and costs, Government approval was necessary. The Minister had proposals ready for Government, following careful consultation between Departments, but other political events intervened. Government approval for an official side offer was not obtained until last week. The official side has now responded to this item on the basis of equalising early retirement provision for post-primary and primary teachers.
Negotiations on the teachers' early retirement claim must take place under the terms of clause 2 (iii) of Annex 1 to the Programme for Competitiveness and Work pay agreement. Under option A of this clause outstanding cost increasing claims must be negotiated as a package.
As provided for under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work the teachers claimed and were paid their full entitlement to date of a 1 per cent increase in pay from 1 April 1994 as a down payment on a settlement of their outstanding claims. Having taken the 1 per cent increase, no payment arising from a settlement on early retirement could be made until this year.
Last Friday's offer on early retirement was made in the context of a positive commitment by the official side to deal with a number of outstanding claims in addition to the early retirement issue. It was not possible to discuss these claims because of the reaction of the unions at the meeting.
The Minister considers that she is meeting the commitments she made on early retirement for teachers. However, if progress is to be made, the parties involved will have to be prepared to engage in further discussions, which the Minister would be very anxious to encourage.
In the circumstances, I know that the House will understand that it would be inappropriate for the Minister to comment further on the matter.