Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 377: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department recognises years of teaching service in the Six Counties when assessing an application for early retirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28582/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Teaching service given in Northern Ireland is not recognised for the purpose of teachers' superannuation awards in this State as there is no agreement at present between the jurisdictions on the transferability of pension entitlements. As the Deputy may be aware, at a recent North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meeting in institutional format issues in relation to obstacles to cross border mobility were discussed. In this context, the Council agreed that the NSMC Secretariat should convene a working group meeting to explore options for the transfer of pension rights on a cross-border basis. This group will report to future NSMC meetings.