The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) is seeking legal advice on the cut to public service pensions announced as part of the Government’s four year austerity plan last week.

Union President Bernie Ruane described the measures as ‘a complete breach of trust’.

“Teachers and lecturers entered into a contract with their employers when they commenced employment. This contract has now been breached."

"We have taken numerous calls from pensioners who are very distressed at what they perceive as a complete breach of trust. They are particularly abhorred that amounts above just €12,000 will be targeted."

In most cases these would have been part time teachers or those who joined the profession later in their careers who would not have built up anywhere near even half of full provision.  In the current economic climate, many are already struggling to meet their financial commitments.

"We are taking legal advice on this issue in terms of the status of the contract members ‘bought’ into and what right to recourse they may now have.”