Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
738. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education the reason teachers registered pre-2012 are receiving additional allowances than all teachers registered post-2012, these teachers are finding it increasingly difficult in view of the increased cost-of-living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13402/23]
View answerIn September 2012, my Department implemented the outcome of the public service-wide review of allowances and premium payments by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform which means that many allowances, were no longer payable to “new entrant” Teachers. Circular 0008/2013 outlines the effect of this review on teachers.
Additional amendments to Teacher Terms and Conditions, including pay and allowances, can only be achieved through engagement and collective bargaining agreements between the Government and the public service unions.
Over the course of recent collective agreements amendments have been agreed including that new entrant teachers had the equivalent of an honours primary degree allowance integrated into their salary scale.
Any further amendments to alter the allowances paid to teachers, whether new entrant or not, give rise to significant cost issues and should, as mentioned, be part of engagement and collective agreements between Unions and Government. Any review of the eligibility criteria for allowances can occur only under that process and any such proposals would need to be considered in detail by the Department should the relevant unions seek to engage on this.
