Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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895. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has examined a step-down facility for persons who take on principal roles without a loss of seniority and pension; and if she will provide the details of these reviews. [20580/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The position regarding pensions for teachers, other than teachers who are members of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, is that pensions are provided for under statutory schemes drawn up by my Department with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. On retirement pensions are calculated on final salary and the annual rate of pensionable allowances, such as the allowance for post as Principal, where the allowances were held for the full three years immediately preceding retirement. Allowances are averaged where they are held for some but not the entirety of the 3 year period.

The position regarding the seniority of Principal Teachers who relinquish their posts is set out in my Departments Circulars 02/04 (primary) PPT 29/02 (Secondary). The seniority rules were agreed under the auspices of the Teacher's Conciliation Council, a body established in accordance with the terms of the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for Teachers. The Council is comprised of representatives of Teachers, School Management, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, chaired by an Official of the Labour Relations Commission. Any changes to the seniority arrangement for teachers is therefore a matter for consideration at the Teachers' Conciliation Council in the first instance.