Teaching Qualifications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 July 2014

Wednesday, 9 July 2014

Ceisteanna (88)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

88. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 88 of 2 July 2014, in view of the fact that the PCW 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, the reason his departmental policy changed in view of the fact that the commercial teachers qualification was considered the equivalent to a B Comm under Memos V7 and V32. [30002/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As previously advised in the response to Parliamentary Question No. 88 of 2 July 2014, 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. Under the PCW agreement any recognised non graduate teacher who did not already hold a degree allowance entitlement such as a holder of the Commercial Teachers Certificate could be paid a pass degree allowance. Under Memo V7 the Commercial Teachers Certificate was considered the equivalent of a degree in commerce or business studies for qualification purposes. Honours degree allowances are paid to qualified registered teachers who hold a degree that was designated as an honours degree by the awarding authority.