Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2013
102. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the fact that he has indicated that he will continue to pay ASTI members the annual supervision and substitution allowance of €1,769, gross, the amount he intends to allocate for this allowance in budget 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42184/13]
View answerPrior to the recent ballots on the Haddington Road Agreement, my Department agreed with TUI and ASTI that without prejudice to future positions that would arise in the event of rejection of the proposals, current Supervision and Substitution arrangements would remain in place. This was essential to ensure that schools opened for the new school year and remained functioning.
TUI has now accepted the Haddington Road Agreement and ASTI has not. Under the terms of the Financial Emergency legislation, the Government is empowered to make changes to remuneration and/or working time in respect of any group of public servants. The Government is reflecting on the outcome of the ASTI ballot and is considering all options. I would again ask ASTI to examine the costs to their members of remaining outside the Agreement and to reflect further upon this matter, particularly given that the non-implementation of the Agreement will have the greatest impact on young, newly-qualified teachers.
