School Staffing.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2009

Tuesday, 7 July 2009

Ceisteanna (563, 564, 565, 566, 567, 568, 569, 570, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 576, 577, 578, 579, 580)

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

588 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers who retired compulsorily each year during the years 2000 to 2009 inclusive. [27486/09]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

589 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers over the age of 60 who retired voluntarily each year during the years 2000 to 2009, inclusive. [27487/09]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

590 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers between the age of 55 and 60 who retired voluntarily each year during the years 2000 to 2009, inclusive. [27488/09]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

591 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers who retired on a disability pension each year during the years 2000 to 2009, inclusive. [27489/09]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

592 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science he number of primary teachers who retired with preserved pension benefits each year during the years 2000 to 2009, inclusive. [27490/09]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

593 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers who took early retirement under strand one of the early retirement scheme each year during the years 2000 to 2008, inclusive. [27491/09]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

594 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers who took early retirement under strand two of the early retirement scheme each year during the years 2000 to 2008, inclusive. [27492/09]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

595 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers who took early retirement under strand three of the early retirement scheme each year during the years 2000 to 2008, inclusive. [27493/09]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

596 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers who took cost neutral early retirement each year during the years 2005 to 2009, inclusive. [27494/09]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

597 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of second level teachers who retired compulsorily each year during the years 2000 to 2009, inclusive. [27495/09]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

598 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of second level teachers over the age of 60 who retired voluntarily each year during the years 2000 to 2009, inclusive. [27496/09]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

599 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of second level teachers between the age of 55 and 60 who retired voluntarily each year during the years 2000 to 2009, inclusive. [27497/09]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

600 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of second level teachers who retired on a disability pension each year during the years 2000 to 2009, inclusive. [27498/09]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

601 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of second level teachers who retired with preserved pension benefits each year during the years 2000 to 2009, inclusive. [27499/09]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

602 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of second level teachers who took early retirement under strand one of the early retirement scheme each year during the years 2000 to 2008, inclusive. [27500/09]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

603 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of second level teachers who took early retirement under strand two of the early retirement scheme each year during the years 2000 to 2008, inclusive. [27501/09]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

604 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of second level teachers who took early retirement under strand three of the early retirement scheme each year during the years 2000 to 2008, inclusive. [27502/09]

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

605 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of second level teachers who took cost neutral early retirement each year during the years 2005 to 2009, inclusive. [27503/09]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 588 to 605, inclusive, together.

The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the Tabular Statement. The figures for post-primary teachers do not include VEC teachers where the retirements and pension benefit awards are made by the relevant VEC. The bulk of teachers retirements occur at the end of August each year. The figures for 2009 contained in the Tabular Statement relate to retirements up to 30 June 2009 only and are therefore not reflective of the likely out-turn for the year as a whole.

Table 1: National School Teachers' Pension Awards 2000-2008 and for 2009 up to 30/6/2009

Year	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009 to 30 June
Retirement Category
Compulsory	79	78	82	77	99	85	70	66	75	—
Voluntary Age 60 and over	215	130	217	117	330	211	200	244	220	37
Voluntary Age 55 but under Age 60	96	75	113	75	212	185	202	196	230	23
Disability	83	77	71	66	49	55	59	43	35	14
Cost-Neutral E.R.	—	—	—	—	—	11	22	15	22	—
Early Retirement Strand1	15	10	11	23	25	45	27	42	33	—
Early Retirement Strand2	14	17	9	6	13	15	12	13	13	—
Early Retirement Strand3	5	2	2	2	3	8	11	5	1	—
Preserved**	31	27	23	31	35	31	34	25	65	24
Total	538	416	528	397	766	646	637	649	694	98

Notes

1. The statistical information is recorded on a calendar year basis.

2. Preserved Pensions are awarded to teachers at age 60, who left teaching before reaching pension age. Example, a teacher who resigns at age 48 with 25 years pensionable service is not immediately eligible for pension but can apply for a pension on reaching age 60. In the case of "new entrants" as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 preserved pensions are awarded at age 65.

3. The figures for 2009 relate to retirement awards made to 30 June 2009 whereas the bulk of retirements occur annually at the end of August.

4. 2005 was the first year in which retirements under Cost Neutral Early Retirement took place.

5. The Early Retirement (3-Strands) Scheme does not apply in 2009 following its suspension announced in October 2008.

Table 2: Secondary, Community & Comprehensive Teachers Pension Awards 2000-2008 and for 2009 up to 30 June

Year	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009 to 30 June
Retirement Category
Compulsory	54	68	59	64	76	83	66	63	62	1
Voluntary Age 60 & Over	88	97	107	93	157	159	175	222	205	30
Voluntary Age 55 but under Age 60	27	27	21	24	46	92	89	129	138	13
Disability	70	61	61	56	54	53	43	50	38	22
Cost-Neutral E.R.	—	—	—	—	—	5	14	18	12	0
Early Retirement Strand1	44	32	28	28	34	37	45	48	54	—
Early Retirement Strand2	19	18	26	23	40	32	37	37	30	—
Early Retirement Strand3	37	37	60	59	37	72	52	83	31	—
Preserved	34	31	29	37	44	51	38	32	47	20
Total	373	371	391	384	488	584	559	682	617	86

Notes

1. The statistical information is recorded on a calendar year basis.

2. Preserved Pensions are awarded to teachers at age 60, who left teaching before reaching pension age. Example, a teacher who resigns at age 48 with 25 years pensionable service is not immediately eligible for pension but can apply for a pension on reaching age 60. Note that in the case of "new entrants" as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 preserved pensions are awarded at age 65.

3. The figures for 2009 relate to retirement awards made to 30 June 2009 whereas the bulk of retirements occur annually at the end of August.

4. 2005 was the first year in which retirements under Cost Neutral Early Retirement took place.

5. The Early Retirement (3-Strands) Scheme does not apply in 2009 following its suspension announced in October 2008.