asked the Minister for Education if teachers who serve abroad for some years after qualification can have this time assessed for incremental qualification and other teaching benefits.
14.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Teachers' Service Abroad.
13.
asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement on the granting of incremental credit to teachers in respect of teaching service abroad and if he intends to make changes in this regard.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.
An agreement reached at the Conciliation Council for Teachers provides for credit on the incremental salary scale in respect of approved teaching experience abroad up to a maximum of four years in respect of service given prior to 1 June 1979 and to a maximum five years in respect of service given thereafter.
Would the Minister kindly answer the question I asked? In Question No. 14 I asked if he intends to make changes in this regard. The Minister made no reference whatsoever to his position on this matter.
It may interest the House to know I was probably the first person who led a deputation to the Department many years ago to get this done. I was very pleased with the conciliation council agreement to recognise teaching service abroad for the periods I mentioned in my reply.
Is the Minister satisfied with the present position in regard to the granting of incremental credit to teachers in respect of teaching service abroad? Does he intend to introduce new measures to ensure that equity will prevail for many teachers who have come back from a number of countries?
Including myself.
I am sure the Minister was a great loss when he was abroad. I have no wish to take from his contribution abroad. Is the Minister satisfied with the present arrangements?
I am very much satisfied with the improvement which has taken place and I am very pleased to have been Minister for Education when they took place.
Does the Minister intend to make further changes?
I do not.
Question No. 15 for written reply.