Two pensions for college lecturer

A third-level lecturer who resigned after breaching his contract by working in two colleges at the same time looks set to receive pensions from both of the schools when he reaches retirement age.

The revelation was made today the Public Accounts Committee.

In March 2007, Athlone Institute of Technology was informed that one of its full-time lecturers was also working in NUI Galway.

After being confronted, the man resigned from both posts.

Today, Fianna Fáil deputy Darragh O'Brien asked if the man at the centre of the controversy would receive two pensions when he retired.

The President of AIT, Ciarán Ó Catháin, said legal advice from the college suggested the man - who is in his 40s - was entitled to the pension because he paid into it.

The Secretary General of the Department of Education, Brigid McManus, said advice given to NUI Galway was the same. The lecturer did not receive a severance package.

Deputy O'Brien said the man should have been sacked.

Today the Comptroller and Auditor General, John Buckley, said there was a greater need for transparency surrounding the services by lecturers.

Mr O'Brien also said he has received information that every senior level person at UCD, who is retiring between now and December, will get added years onto their pension.

Speaking at the Committee, he said in some cases the top-ups amount to one sixth of overall service.

Brigid McManus said legal advice suggests that some staff are entitled to the added years.

Deputy O'Brien said it is adding extra cost to the Exchequer and said the Higher Education Authority should get a handle on it.