David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 391: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary and secondary school teachers who applied for early retirement every month for the past 12 months; the number of applications for early retirement which are currently being processed; the number expected to apply for early retirement in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14574/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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There are a number of different arrangements under which teachers may retire early on pension.

Teachers who are not new entrants as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 may retire voluntarily from age 55 years onwards. Where the teacher is aged 55 but under 60 he or she must satisfy the following conditions: have completed at least 35 years pensionable service, or have completed at least 34 years pensionable service and have 3 years pre-service training, or have completed at least 33 years pensionable service and have 4 years pre-service training

While this pre-service training can be taken into account for the purpose of qualifying for retirement at 55 years of age, it cannot be used to credit service on which benefits will be based. There is no actuarial reduction in benefits.

Teachers aged 50 (or aged 55 if a new entrant), who have competed at least 2 years pensionable service, may also retire early and avail of cost neutral early retirement. Superannuation benefits, actuarially reduced, come into payment immediate on retirement.

A voluntary Early Retirement Scheme had operated from 1996 in the case of primary teachers and 1997 in the case of post-primary teachers until its suspension with immediate effect in October 2008 on foot of Budget 2009. The Scheme consisted of three strands. Strand 1 related to teachers who were consistently experiencing professional difficulties in their teaching duties. Strand 2 related to teachers whose retirement would provide their school with an opportunity to enhance the education service being provided through facilitating change. Strand 3 related to teachers who were in posts which are surplus to requirements.

Over the past 12 months, 998 primary, secondary, community and comprehensive school teachers chose to retire early; ie under the 55/35 year rule, cost-neutral early retirement and voluntary early retirement (now suspended). The tabular statement attached sets out the number of teacher awarded pension each month, on early retirement, from April 2008 to March 2009.

Currently 263 applications from teacher are being processed in my Department for early retirement between now and the end of the current school year. It is estimated that in the 2009/2010 school-year in the region of 900 will opt for early retirement.