Ill-health retirement of schoolteachers in the Republic of Ireland

Abstract

Background: To investigate the epidemiological profile and medical causes of ill-health retirement (IHR) of teachers in the Republic of Ireland. Methods: Medical file review of teacher IHR in Irish primary and secondary schools, between 2002 and 2005 inclusive. Results: In all, 466 employees were granted IHR between 2002 and 2005.The rate of IHR was 2.7/1000 teachers per annum, with an average age at IHR of 52 years. The most common reasons for IHR were mental disorders (46%), cancer (19%), circulatory (14%) and musculoskeletal disorders (10%). Conclusions: The rate of IHR among Irish teachers is similar to that of other occupational groups, with psychiatric conditions, cancer and circulatory diseases as the principal causes. © The Author 2007.