‘Double whammy’ payment to rehired teachers criticised
The Fianna Fáil finance spokesman, Micheal McGrath, accused the Government of negligence by insisting on an across the board cut-off point at the end of February for public sector workers to be able to claim a boosted pension.
This will mean that many of the 1,400 to 1,600 teachers expected to retire ahead of the deadline will be immediately rehired to continue preparing pupils for summer exams.
The Department of Education confirmed that such a situation would see teachers receive their pension and then be paid for continuing exam classes. However, they will not go back into the system under their old pay rate but at the lowest rung of the salary ladder.
The department said a retired teacher who was rehired as a substitute would be paid the same as someone starting out.
Also, the arrangements to allow schools re-employ retired teachers is only for the period up to this year’s Junior and Leaving Certificate exams.
Mr McGrath said: “I can see why people are very angry about teachers being able to move straight from getting their pensions to being back with a paid salary.
“It was a mistake to have one cut-off point across the public service, when the education system has a natural end in June.
“Special provision should have been made to prevent this situation arising in schools which will see retired teachers getting their jobs back at a time when many newly qualified teachers are unable to find employment.”
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation defended the move, saying their members were entitled to the payments and had endured major pay cuts.
Public sector workers must retire by February 29 if they want to qualify for pensions and lump-sum gratuities that are in accordance with their salaries before the pay cuts of recent years.
The Government is on course to pay about €600m in lump sums to retiring public servants this year.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
