Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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151. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teaching principals that have taken early retirement or retired due to ill health in each of the years 2013 to 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27468/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Information on retirement of primary teachers in each of the years 2013-2017 is contained in Table 1 attached. The information sets out the total number of teachers who retired each year and the number of principal teachers and of those principals the number who retired before normal retirement due to permanent ill-health and those who availed of Cost Neutral Early Retirement.

Corresponding information in relation to teacher retirements from Secondary, Community and Comprehensive Schools is set out in Table 2 attached.

Information distinguishing teaching principals from other category of principal teachers is not recorded as part of the retirement of teachers.

Cost Neutral Early Retirement is a facility available from age 50 for public servants including teachers who have un-interrupted service which commenced before April 2004, (age 55 in other cases) where they wish to retire before reaching normal retirement age. Pension benefits are immediately payable, however, the benefits are actuarially reduced to reflect the early payment of the lump sum gratuity and the longer period over which pension will be payable.

Retirement on medical grounds may be awarded early where the person satisfies the medical criteria of the superannuation scheme that s/he has while in service, has become incapable through illness of performing his/her duties and the illness is likely to be permanent.

TABLE 1 - Primary School Teacher Retirements 2013-2017

TABLE 2 - Secondary/Community and Comprehensive School Teacher Retirements 2013-2017