THE Department of Education has written to all the State's 3,200 national schools looking for applications from primary teachers interested in taking early retirement before the end of this year.
Several hundred teachers are likely to be selected for the early retirement scheme, which is subject to agreement between the Department and teacher unions on a corresponding scheme at second level.
The issuing of the Department's circular to primary schools follows the acceptance by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) earlier this year of the Government's offer on pay and conditions.
Talks are continuing between the Government and the two second level unions, the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) and the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI), which rejected the offer.
The scheme provides for the early retirement of primary teachers who are "consistently unable to achieve an acceptable level of professional performance", or who are employed in posts surplus to requirements.
A third category, offering 75 retirements, has been established for teachers aged 55 or over who have at least 20 years' service but "find that they can no longer function at the high level of commitment required to embrace successfully the demands of educational reform".
The original Government offer provided for 150 retirements at primary level and 150 at second level. However, because of the difficulties in securing agreement at second level, a large majority of the 300 places available this year are likely to go to the primary sector.
If a deal is struck with the ASTI and the TUI, their members will be allocated the majority of available places next year.
Teachers who are offered early retirement lose their eligibility to work in State funded schools. The decision by a teacher experiencing professional difficulties to apply for early retirement will be voluntary. Applications for all categories have to be submitted by November 13th.
In the talks between the Government and the second level unions, the Department has offered an additional 100 early retirement places, on top of the quota of 150 in the original offer. The INTO is likely to seek a corresponding increase in the quota at primary level.
Meanwhile, the Teachers' Union of Ireland has warned of possible industrial action if a dispute between the union and the managers of vocational schools is not resolved.
The Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) said last week it was withdrawing from talks with the TUI and the Department on new appointment procedures for teachers in vocational schools. The IVEA said it was unhappy with the proposals and wished to consult with its members.
However, the general secretary of the TUI, Mr Jim Dorney, said yesterday that agreement on a new promotions procedure was essential before the union would agree to a new pay deal under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work.
