TUI General Secretary
Peter MacMenamin
today said:
“The Department has reneged on a clear commitment that the early retirement provisions would continue to be available to those teachers who wished to avail of them at the end of this academic year.
The scheme assists the early retirement of those teachers considered surplus to requirements; consistently experiencing professional difficulties or those whose retirement would enhance the education service.
We have received several calls today from distressed teachers in this situation who deferred their application to retire to this year in the light of the circular letter. They are appalled at this breach of trust.
The unambiguous confirmation that the schemes would continue for at least one further year was not alone given to the union but was set out clearly in a circular letter issued to schools last year.
TUI has written to the Minister for Education and Science drawing to his attention the contradiction between a commitment given to all teachers by way of a circular letter from his department, for the continuation of this scheme with the legitimate expectation which a teacher might have of availing of this provision at the end of the current year and the immediate unilateral termination of this agreed procedure.
We demand that this vital scheme be continued to include those teachers who wish to retire under its terms at the end of this school year.”
Notes to Editor:
Excerpt from Department of Education circular letter 102/2007:
“Pending the completion of the review, it has been decided that the pilot scheme will be continued to include teachers retiring at the end of the 2006/07, 2007/08 and 2008/09 school years.”
Note buried in yesterday’s Department of Education Estimate brief:
“Early Retirement Scheme for Teachers: this pilot scheme is being suspended with immediate effect.”