John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for selecting this topic and I thank the Minister for coming in to hear it. The matter is simple. As everyone is aware, by 29 February next a large number of teachers will have retired because of the changes to be introduced in pension and taxation calculations. I have raised this issue on several occasions previously. If the changes go ahead as scheduled it would create a great deal of confusion and disruption in the classroom, especially for examination classes.

This is especially relevant for those sitting the leaving certificate examination. The changes will come during the final ten to 12 weeks of the school year, the most important part of their education in secondary school. During this time there are mock examinations, oral and practical examinations and the final lead-in to the leaving certificate examination. At that stage, the teacher is not only a teacher, but a mentor for the students and a calming influence. Teachers offer guidance on the crucial areas to revise and suggest areas likely to be examined. This takes place in the final days before the examinations.

If the planned changes go ahead it would represent an impossible task from the student's point of view for any new teacher who might step into the classroom on 1 March to oversee a smooth or seamless transition. I emphasise that I have in mind the student's point of view and this is no reflection on the competence or qualifications of any new teachers that might enter the classroom.

I raise the matter for a second reason. A newspaper report some weeks ago suggested the Minister was considering some way of alleviating this disruption. This has ignited a good deal of confusion, tension and concern on behalf of the students with regard to what will happen in February. I understand there is some time to go but will the Minister confirm, inasmuch as he can at this stage, what will happen in classrooms, especially for leaving certificate students? If there was an indication of what will happen, students could put their minds at ease, know exactly what was happening and be able to concentrate on getting the maximum points in the leaving certificate next June.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I thank Deputy O'Mahony, with whom I served on the committee on education and skills in the last Dáil, for raising this matter.

The previous Government provided for a reduction in the pay of public servants in 2009. Under the public service pension rights order 2011, 29 February 2012 was set as the final date on which public servants could retire and have their pension entitlements calculated on the older, higher rates. It is possible, due to this effect on pensions, that there may be an increased turnover of teaching staff in the next few months. Deputy O'Mahony is an expert in this field as a former teacher.

The Government is very aware of the potential impact on students preparing for the two State examinations of an increased number of teachers retiring between now and next February. To reduce this impact I intend to permit schools to re-employ teachers who choose to retire between 1 December 2011 and 29 February 2012 and who, immediately before their retirement, had been teaching students preparing to sit the junior or leaving certificate in 2012. These teachers may be re-employed until the summer holidays for the teaching duties for which they were timetabled immediately before their retirement.

Where a teacher's pre-retirement duties included teaching and non-teaching duties, such as in the case of an assistant or deputy principal, the teacher may be re-employed for his or her teaching hours only. These measures will be confined to teachers teaching State examination classes in post-primary schools and do not apply to teachers with no exam classes or primary school teachers.

Where teachers retire who are not involved in teaching in some classes then replacements should be employed until the end of the school year, in accordance with normal recruitment practices. This involves a full recruitment process for appointments in excess of 24 weeks or, where the vacancy is for less than 24 weeks to the end of the school year, the school should appoint a substitute teacher. Officials in my Department have discussed this matter with second level management bodies and expect to issue an information note to schools in the next week.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for addressing the situation ahead of time. What he has said will be very good news for students at this critical stage of the school year. I ask him to confirm that all State examinations will be covered, including the junior certificate. Does the Minister know how many teachers have indicated they will retire in the coming months to 29 February in primary and post primary schools?

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy has asked two specific questions and I propose to answer him in the order in which he asked them. This transitional facility will apply to teachers who are involved in the junior certificate examination as well as those teaching the leaving certificate. If teachers were assistant principals or principals they will be paid the teaching rate as a regular teacher and not receive any additional rates after they receive their lump sum and entitlements. It is confined to bridge the gap. February was, relatively speaking, an arbitrary date. The scheme is to be introduced to make sure there is continuity to the end of the academic year and ensure there is no disadvantage to students doing mock exams and leaving and junior certificate examinations.

What was the second question?

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I asked about the numbers who have indicated they wish to retire.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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It is a voluntary scheme. Teachers have three months in which to signal their intention to retire and we cannot anticipate what the quantum will be. There is an expectation, not just in the education sector but across the public service, that people will avail of the option to retire if it suits their position in life to do so. The matter is entirely up to people to decide. Therefore, I cannot give the Deputy a concrete figure.