Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2023
191. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if, given the current crisis of teacher shortages, she will consider revaluating the criteria that must be satisfied in order for service at that school to be recognised for incremental credit, which will incentivise teachers who are teaching abroad to return home and fair recognition given for the years of invaluable experience gained abroad; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49431/23]
View answerThe criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in my Department’s Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC).
These circulars provide for the award of incremental credit in respect of overseas teaching service, both within and without the EU. Where a school satisfies the criteria set out in the circulars to have service at that school recognised for incremental credit, an award of incremental credit can be made.
Criteria such as state funding and the length of time the school has been in existence must be satisfied in order for service at that school to be recognised for incremental credit. Where schools do not satisfy the required criteria, then service at that school cannot be considered towards incremental credit. Teachers must be on my Department’s payroll or teaching in an Education and Training Board school before an application can be processed.
The criteria for the award of incremental credit for teachers are subject to review by way of an incremental credit committee, which is a sub-committee of the Teachers Conciliation Council and which meets on an ongoing basis.
The Department of Education continues to engage closely with school management bodies, teacher unions and other education stakeholders to develop further, innovative measures to improve the availability of teachers given the difficulties experienced by some schools in sourcing teachers.
