David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1808: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on extending the retirement age for special needs assistants, who were employed before 2004, beyond the mandatory 65 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31305/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 removed the requirement to retire on age grounds but only in the case of persons coming within the definition of New Entrant as set out in the Act. In general terms a New Entrant under the Act is a person who commences employment in the public service on or after 1 April 2004 or a person who returns to employment in the public service since that date after a break in service of more than 26 weeks.

Special Needs Assistants, other than New Entrants, must retire at the end of the school year in which he/she reaches age 65 but may retire voluntarily any time after reaching age 60.