Teaching unions have condemned proposed changes to public sector pension schemes that they claim will see their members paying more in than they will get out.

The plans, which have been outlined as part of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011 published by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin, were described by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation as "unfair, unnecessary and probably unlawful".

General secretary of the body Sheila Nunan also cast doubt on claims the changes would save the government up to 1.8 billion euros, which she described as highly speculative.

Meanwhile, the Irish Times reported that the Association of Secondary School Teachers in Ireland is considering challenging the new rules in the courts.

Under the scheme, new entrants' final pension will be determined according to their average career earnings, as opposed to the current system which is based on a person's final salary

Ms Nunan backed the idea of a legal challenge, describing the proposals as "larcenous" and "devastating for the pensions of new teachers".

Written by Donal Walsh
 

Comments