Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 106: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of principals, deputy principals, assistant principals and teachers with special duties who have retired to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37327/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A total of 850 primary teachers have retired on pension to date in 2009 and the corresponding figure for secondary, community and comprehensive schools is 738.

Within the overall total, 253 principals have retired from primary schools while 68 principals have retired from secondary, community and comprehensive schools. Deputy principal retirements total 260 of which 208 were primary and 52 were from secondary, community and comprehensive schools.

Also within the overall total, assistant principals account for 588 retirements of whom 132 retired from primary schools and 456 from secondary, community and comprehensive schools. Some 171 teachers with special duties posts retired from primary schools while 104 retired from secondary, community and comprehensive schools.

While these figures do not include retirements in the VEC sector for which my Department does not have figures as they are not on the payroll, there has been a significant increase in retirement numbers in this sector also. Teachers who have the requisite service or reached a specified age threshold are required to give three months notice to the board of management of their school of their intention to retire.

The vast majority of teachers choose to retire before reaching mandatory retirement age. This year some 88% of primary school retirements and 84% of secondary, community and comprehensive school retirements fall into this category.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister for his reply. He has just put an extraordinary fact on the record. If one takes the post-primary sector for example, he has just told the House that one principal in every school effectively retired in the first ten months of this year. If that is not a flight from the profession, I am not sure what is. That is a very serious loss of senior and middle management within the education system, as I am sure he will accept. While it could be argued that this creates opportunities for younger teachers to take on new posts, there is an issue of concern here, given the importance of leadership within our schools, particularly at primary and post-primary levels.

Will the Minister tell the House the expected cost to his Department this year from the retirements to date? Has he been in discussion with the principals' associations at primary and post-primary levels to inquire why so many people are leaving the education system?

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is no doubt that the numbers are much higher than in previous years, and we carried out a survey to find out why. It showed that approximately half of those retiring gave "planned retirement" as their main reason, one third highlighted concerns about future taxation of their lump sum and the impact of recent levies and the remainder tended to cite general reasons such as lifestyle etc., and wanted an opportunity to avail of the good life in retirement rather than continue teaching.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is quite clear that the doubt that exists as regards the taxation of the lump sum is a real issue for many principals. I would encourage the Minister to clarify that issue with his Government colleagues once and for all.

Where a principal or deputy principal retires, the position is advertised and a new person is placed. However, when it comes to assistant principals, or teachers with special duties, since there is a moratorium on appointments those positions are not fed back into the system. According to the information that the Minister has just given Dáil Éireann, 456 assistant principals have retired this year in the first ten months, and those posts are not being filled. It effectively means that their duties are being taken up by other teachers. It means the posts of those teachers who had special duty responsibilities in terms of games, debates, music or whatever are not being taken up this year.

Will the Minister please look at the moratorium issue again on the basis that it is causing enormous problems not only in the post-primary but also in the primary sector? Could he also put the answer to my first question on the record of the House, namely how much this will cost his Department this year?

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not appear to have those figures although I have costings for teachers in various circumstances.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That detail was not included in the original question, so the Minister would not be expected to have the data to hand.

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I shall provide that information for the Deputy. As regards the moratorium, as he knows we have a system in place whereby a principal or deputy principal can be replaced. That is a special concession that does not apply to other sectors of the public service. We ask schools to prioritise and reorganise posts that cannot be filled.

Some 50% of all teachers have a post of responsibility, it should be remembered.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is nearly like the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party.

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That has changed.

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That has changed totally as the Deputy knows - it is a new regime.

The percentage of teachers retiring, therefore, is very small and we hope that given the circumstances that prevail schools will be able to juxtapose various posts to ensure all the important elements will be reorganised and people are transferred, as appropriate. I do not envisage looking for a derogation in this particular school year. However, if particular problems arise in a school where there are a major number of retirements that gives rise to serious concern, obviously I would be prepared to look at such a situation.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is the Minister concerned about this?

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am not concerned, as there are enough posts of responsibility. There is enough flexibility within the schools so that they can reorganise, and it will be successful.