The Department of Education will publish an EQIA for consultation early in the autumn. Further progress on the timing and content of the draft regulations will depend on the outcome of consultation on the EQIA. For teachers prematurely retired and/or made redundant at the end of the 2008-2009 school year, 31 August 2009, the arrangements for compensation will be in accordance with the existing regulations, ie on the same basis as in 2008.
Notes to Editors
1. Consultation on the draft Teachers’ (Compensation for Redundancy and Premature Retirement) Regulations (NI) 2009 and complementary amendments to the Teachers’ Superannuation Regulations (NI) 1998 closed on 15 May 2009.
2. The effect of the draft regulations would be make teachers’ employers liable for the compensation costs associated with decisions to grant premature retirement to teachers, including the early payment of unreduced pension benefits. Existing provisions regarding discretionary compensation for redundancy would be retained and the regulations would also provide employers with discretion to make enhanced severance payments up to a maximum of 104 week's pay.
3. A single consultation exercise was carried out for the draft regulations and an Equality Screening of the draft regulations. An analysis of responses to the consultation will be published on the Department’s website in due course.
4. Media queries to the Department of Education Press Office on 028 9127 9701. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
