Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
471. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if the case of a person (details supplied) in relation to the payment of an allowance will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11143/22]
View answerFollowing a Government decision announced in Budget 2012, a public service wide review of allowances was conducted. The outcome of this review is set out in Circular 0008/2013 issued by this Department on 25th January 2013.
The position of teachers who, on 5th December 2011, were undertaking courses was considered in the context of the public service-wide review of allowances announced in Budget 2012 which was led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. It was agreed that teachers who were employed on 5th December 2011 and who were undertaking a course of study at that time could apply for their allowance provided they were continuously registered on that course between then and date of completion.
A modification to Circular 0008/2013 was subsequently agreed at Teachers Conciliation Council in 2015 in relation to teachers who were actively undertaking a course of study on 5th December 2011 and this modification is included at Appendix 4 of Circular 0063/2021. Circular 0063/2021 issued on 14th December 2021 and extended the closing date for receipt of eligible qualification allowance applications to 30th April 2022.
My Department has not to date received an Application Form for payment of a masters degree allowance from Ms. Buckley. If Ms Buckley feels that she meets the terms of Circulars 0008/2013 and 0063/2021, she should submit a completed Application Form to my Department with the relevant documentation attached for consideration prior to the closing date for receipt of applications.
