The general secretary of ASTI, the largest secondary teachers' union, has assailed the Departments of Education and Finance for delaying implementation of clauses in the Programme for Competitiveness and Work. Mr Charlie Lennon said a £1,000 allowance for teachers with 35 years' service was being paid only this week, nearly six months after the deal was concluded. Also, important circulars about early retirement arrived in schools after teachers had left for their summer holidays. All three teacher unions have demanded that another opportunity should be given to teachers to apply for early retirement.