Michael Creed
Question:494 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science the criteria used by his Department when determining eligibility for pay increment entitlement arising from previous work experience and qualifications. [23697/01]
Written Answers. - Teaching Qualifications.
The award of credit on the incremental salary scale for teachers is subject to the terms of agreements reached at the conciliation council for teachers. Incremental credit is awarded in respect of periods of training resulting in the award of recognised qualifications. Two increments are awarded in respect of four or more years full-time training. One increment is awarded in respect of three years full-time training.
A teacher may apply for the award of incremental credit in respect of recognised teaching service. A teacher may also apply for the award of incremental credit in respect of relevant non-teaching service. In order to qualify for credit, the service must have been full-time, remunerated and satisfactory. It must be demonstrated to the satisfaction of my Department to be relevant to primary teaching in the case of a primary teacher and to the subject area in which the teacher has qualified in the case of a second level teacher. A teacher, whose application for the award of incremental credit in respect of relevant non-teaching service has been refused by my Department, may submit an appeal to an independent appeals board that is being established by my Department in accordance with the terms of agreed report 10/2000 of the conciliation council for teachers.