Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will give the Deputy the exact figures when we reach that question. She spoke about the targeting of young teachers. I do not have the exact figure, but a young teacher starting off is on a salary of approximately €32,000. In order to not double the impact on teachers whose starting pay is now 10% lower than it was and whose allowance for obtaining a degree has been removed, we have abolished the first three steps in the incremental scale. This gives them a fair start. We looked at the graduate entrance rate in the private sector and the figure mentioned is well up with it. To be honest, if I was asked who was damaged or hurt the most in the economy, I would not say it was the ones starting out now but those who bought a house at the peak of the boom - those between the ages of 35 and 45 years - and who are now in negative equity. A teacher starting today will buy a house at a figure 60% lower than the cost five or six years ago. There are inequities in society that we must address over time. The insolvency legislation and all of the other measures the Government needs to introduce will help to address them.

With regard to the Croke Park mechanisms, we may have a chance sometime to deal with this issue in committee, as I do not have time to explain now what I have written in a letter to line Departments. However, I will be happy to give the information to the Deputy which we may discuss in committee.

Deputy Mattie McGrath mentioned pensions. He is right in what he says. I have looked at ways to take back some of the pensions. Under the financial measures in the public interest legislation I introduced last year, I provided for a take-back of an additional 20%. That was as much as I was advised I could do with that category. The Deputy is aware of what is contained in the programme for Government with regard to pensions which is something on which we have worked also.

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