Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the vocational teachers' superannuation scheme and the amendments being made thereto; and if these are now operational. [25144/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department, in May this year, advised Vocational Education Committees by circular letter of the coming into operation of revised pension arrangements for certain part-time staff, including members of the Vocational Teachers Superannuation Scheme. These revised arrangements, which will result in a difference in pension benefit and contribution level for part-time staff, form part of Public Service Pension Reform generally.

The revised arrangements will improve access for part-time staff to the superannuation scheme. In addition, where eligible part-time staff, whose pensions are integrated with social welfare benefits, retire from part-time service their occupational pensions will be calculated on the basis of notional full time salary and pro-rata service, where actual service worked is expressed as a proportion of full-time attendance. The revised arrangements also include a change in the method by which integrated occupational pensions are computed. The overall effect of these changes will be to improve occupational pensions for many part-time staff.

The revised arrangements are effective in the main from 1 September 2001 for staff in service on that date; however the change in the method by which integrated pensions are computed is effective from 1 January 2004. My Department will continue to provide information and guidance to Vocational Education Committees as they administer the revised arrangements.