Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 833: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the way in which the early retirements advisory committee operates; the procedures they adopt; and if she will provide the names of the committee. [14407/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work 1996 a voluntary early retirement scheme, consisting of three strands, was introduced on a pilot basis for teachers in order to promote greater efficiency and effectiveness in the school system. Strand 1 of the Scheme relates to teachers who are consistently experiencing professional difficulties in their teaching duties. Strand 2 relates to teachers whose retirement will provide their school with an opportunity to enhance the education service provided through facilitating change. Strand 3 relates to teachers who are in posts which are surplus to requirements.

The Early Retirement Advisory Committee (ERAC) was set up to consider applications submitted by teachers for retirement under Strands 1 and 2 of the Scheme. The Committee, having processed the applications, makes its recommendations to the Minister for decision. (Applications for retirement under Strand 3 of the scheme are considered by the Department and submitted to the Minister for decision). ERAC consists of one nominee of the teachers unions, one nominee of the school management bodies and one nominee of the Ministers for Education and Science and Finance. The committee has an independent chairperson appointed by the Ministers.

ERAC processes applications in accordance with guidelines and principles adopted by the Early Retirement Consultative Council (ERCC). ERCC is representative of each of the teacher unions and school management bodies as well as the Departments of Education and Science and Finance. The chairperson of ERAC is also chairperson of the Early Retirement Consultative Council. ERAC convenes on one or more occasions, as needs dictate, each year.

In the case of Strand 1 ERAC evaluates each application on the basis of written statements of professional difficulties provided by both the teacher and the school management authority. The professional difficulties being experienced by each applicant are assessed under the headings of Expertise, Commitment and Ongoing Professional Development. In the case of each applicant under Strand 2, the written statements of the teacher and the school management authority must satisfy ERAC that retirement under this strand will provide an opportunity to enhance the education service provided by the school by facilitating change such as the introduction of new skills and curriculum review.

The current membership of ERAC is, chairperson, Mr. Declan Brennan; teachers' unions' nominee, Mr. John White; management bodies' nominee, Sr. Eileen Randles and Departments' nominee, Ms. Josephine O'Connor. The nominee of the teachers' unions' is rotated on an annual basis among the three teacher unions. The nominee of the Ministers, from among the administrative staff of the Department, is rotated, on a similar basis between Post Primary Administration and Primary Administration. A review of the pilot early retirement scheme has begun with a view to a report being finalized by Autumn this year.