Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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209. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an early retirement application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39422/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department has no record of receiving a current application for retirement on pension on grounds of ill-health from the person referred to by the Deputy. On receipt of a fresh application from the person it will be processed in accordance with the established procedure for such cases as promptly as possible and a decision conveyed to the applicant.

Entitlement to retire on grounds of ill-health with a pension is not automatic. The criteria to be met is that the person has become incapable by reason of infirmity of discharging his/her duties as a teacher and that the infirmity is likely to be permanent. In support of the application the applicant must supply medical evidence of his/her condition. In accordance with the provisions of the pension scheme a decision to award or refuse a pension is taken following a detailed assessment of the medical evidence in the case. To this end the opinion/recommendation of an appropriately qualified medical adviser retained by my Department as part of the Occupational Health Strategy for school staff must be obtained.

The person referred to by the Deputy previously made application for retirement on ill-health grounds in 2017. Both the application and subsequent appeal were unsuccessful. In general, in such instances, where the illness remains, a fresh application may be made after the lapse of one year from the date of notification of refusal of the appeal and in this case that period has now elapsed.