Following detailed discussions under PCW, agreement was reached and set out in my Department's Circular 18/97 which provided for the payment of allowances in respect of qualifications which hitherto did not qualify for such payment.
The Circular was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers' Conciliation Council, a body established in accordance with the terms of the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for Teachers.The Council is comprised of Representatives of Teachers, School Management, Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Public Enterprise and Reform and chaired by an official of the Labour Relations Commission.Agreements reached at this Council are of general application to all teachers.
The agreement provided for the payment of a pass degree allowance to a range of non graduate teachers, including non graduate holders of the Commercial Teacher's Certificate.