Seanad debates

Thursday, 26 February 2004

Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage.

 

12:00 pm

Photo of Paschal MooneyPaschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I have listened with great interest to Senator O'Toole and have great sympathy with his position. There is a degree of inequity in the separation of teachers and gardaĆ­, both of whom are employed by the State after their training. I appeal to the Minister of State to reflect on the contribution made forcibly by Senator O'Toole. Will he consider some form of transition period, perhaps of 12 or 18 months, that might offer some flexibility to those who signed on for teacher training prior to the commencement date for new entrants? This would at least introduce some flexibility to the proposed arrangements, which are very arbitrary.

Notwithstanding the very valid comment made by Senator Ormonde that one might not become a teacher in the short term or long term after attending teacher training college, young people considering a career are certainly of the view that they will commit themselves to the teaching profession after signing up for teacher training college, notwithstanding that this view might change when they are a little older and other opportunities might present themselves.

At the precise time a student signs up for teacher training college, there is also a student signing up at the Garda Training College in Templemore. The latter student might also leave the Garda after a year or two but he will be treated differently under the proposed legislation. This is discriminatory and there is a valid case for revisiting the issue.

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