HC Deb 26 July 1894 vol 27 cc1024-5
MR. HAYDEN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. P. Murren, late National teacher, Fairymount, County Roscommon, who had completed (within three months) 40 years' service under the Board of National Education, which would have entitled him to the full retiring pension of £46; (2) whether the reason the full pension could not be granted was because of the existence of a rule requiring that the term of service for pension can only count from the time the teacher has attained the age of 21 years; (3) whether he is aware that an additional three months' service would have entitled him to an allowance of £32 instead of £29, which he is now receiving; and that Murren has always denied the truth of the charges brought against him, and in consequence of which he was compelled to resign; (4) and whether the Board of Education will be asked to reconsider the matter with the view, in consideration of the very long services rendered, of having the pension increased?

MR. J. MORLEY

(1) I am informed that the service of Mr. Murren as a National school teacher amounted to 38 years and eight months, and that, therefore, the statement that he had completed within three months of 40 years service is incorrect. Moreover, he would not have been entitled to a pension of £46 per annum unless he had completed 40 years' service after the age of 21 years. (2) One of the rules for the administration of the Teachers' Pension Fund, made pursuant to Act of Parliament, expressly states that service shall not count if given by a male teacher before the age of 21 years. (3) As two years and 11 months of Mr. Murren's service was given before that age, it could not be taken into account when calculating the amount of his pension. His pensionable service was 35 completed years, and the pension for that service is £29 per annum. (4) Had he been allowed to serve for three months longer he would have been entitled to a pension of £32 per annum. His case, however, was carefully considered by the National Board, and they were unable, having regard to his unsatisfactory record, to permit him to continue longer in the service. The Commissioners have no power under the Rules to allow him an extension of his service.