asked the Minister for Education if he will grant an extension of service to veterans of the War of Independence who are at present engaged in teaching; and if, in particular, he will consider granting full pension rights to veterans who will not, on reaching the compulsory retirement age, have fulfilled sufficient teaching years to qualify for full pensions.

9.

asked the Minister for Education if he will grant an extension of service beyond the statutory retirement age to veterans of the War of Independence now teaching.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together. In these cases provision is already made in the superannuation schemes for national and secondary teachers for the recognition for pension purposes of periods of interruption of teaching service. In the case of vocational teachers there is an arrangement for the retention in the service in certain circumstances of teachers with national service after they have reached the normal retiring age of 65 years. This is in lieu of granting them pensionable credit for that service.

Accordingly, I consider that the existing provisions are adequate.