Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether following the transfer to her Department of the regulatory function in respect of superannuation schemes for retired IOT and VEC staff, it would be administratively more appropriate that responsibility for the pension payment function should transfer to the VECs and IOTs where appropriate rather than the local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22225/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has already made a decision in principle that the pension payment function should transfer to the VECs and IOTs. My officials are engaged in discussions with the relevant bodies on the practical arrangements required to give effect to that decision.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the 2% pay increase due to retired VEC teachers since June 2007 will actually issue to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22226/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for the award of sanctioned increases to pensions of retired VEC teachers is a matter for the relevant Vocational Education Committee (VEC), which determines the revised rate of pension, and the associated Local Authority (County Council or Borough Authority) which makes the actual payment.

My Department notified all VECs by circular letter dated 5th June 2007 of the revised pay rates, effective 1st June 2007, for the purposes of revising pensions in payment. It is a matter for each VEC, in conjunction with the relevant local authority, to arrange payment of the increase as speedily as possible.

If the Deputy has a specific instance where retired VEC teachers have not yet received their increase, then if he were to write to the Pensions Unit of my Department it will inquire into the matter further and reply to him.