Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 8:

In page 5, line 1, after "age" to insert the following:", subject to any extension provided for in a public service pension scheme made, approved or consented to by the Minister for Education and Skills, with the consent of the Minister".

These amendments relate to certain teaching and learning staff in the education sector who are not required to retire until the end of the school or academic year in which they reach the age of compulsory retirement. This system is in place to ensure continuity of teaching provision throughout the school year and to limit any classroom disruption. Deputies will accept that this is of particular relevance for students preparing for State examinations. This arrangement is currently provided for in various pension schemes in the education sector. The Bill, as currently drafted, does not allow the continuation of this arrangement. The Government has agreed, on the recommendation of the Minister for Education and Skills, that this arrangement should be maintained in the context of the new compulsory retirement age of 70. Amendments to sections 4 and 5 of the Bill are being proposed in that regard. An amendment to section 4 is required to ensure any service rendered by affected staff in the period between their 70th birthday and their retirement at the end of the school or academic year will be reckonable for pension purposes. An amendment to section 5 is required to ensure that a statutory instrument or public service pension scheme which provides for a compulsory retirement age will be read as meaning the age of 70 for relevant public servants or, in the case of certain relevant public servants in the education sector, the end of the school or academic year in which they reach that age. Both provisions are limited to public service pension schemes made or approved by the Minister for Education and Skills with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.