Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 February 2012
83 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if students currently completing a masters qualification are entitled to the education allowances under the review being undertaken by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7399/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra84 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a teacher who has a pass primary degree may avail of the masters allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7400/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 84 together.
Under Circular 70/2011 teachers who have been engaged in a public sector teaching post on or before 4 December 2011 are eligible to retain the allowances they were entitled to be in receipt of on that date. Existing teachers will not be paid any additional allowance where they acquire any further qualification on or after 5 December 2011.
The position of existing teachers who, on 5 December 2011, were undertaking courses will be considered in the context of the public service-wide review of allowances announced in Budget 2012 which is to be led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Circular 3/2012 issued on 31 January 2012 provides that, pending the outcome of a review by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, allowances are not payable to new beneficiaries; ie those who become eligible for receipt of the allowance in question on or after 1 February 2012. Examples of such allowances include any form of qualification allowance or the supervision and substitution payment paid to teachers, and the secretary to the Board of Management allowance paid to school principals. The only exceptions to this prohibition are principal and deputy principal allowances.
85 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if teachers who were under the impression that the masters allowance would be available may claim back all college costs in lieu of the removal of the allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7401/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Circular 70/2011 teachers who have been engaged in a public sector teaching post on or before 4 December 2011 are eligible to retain the allowances they were entitled to be in receipt of on that date. Existing teachers will not be paid any additional allowance where they acquire any further qualification on or after 5 December 2011.
The position of existing teachers who, on 5 December 2011, were undertaking courses will be considered in the context of the public service-wide review of allowances announced in Budget 2012 which is being led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Circular 3/2012 issued on 31 January 2012 provides that, pending the outcome of a review by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, allowances are not payable to new beneficiaries; ie those who become eligible for receipt of the allowance in question on or after 1 February 2012. Examples of such allowances include any form of qualification allowance or the supervision and substitution payment paid to teachers, and the secretary to the Board of Management allowance paid to school principals. The only exceptions to this prohibition are principal and deputy principal allowances.
