As previously indicated in my PQ reply of December 15 2015, the criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers under Circulars 29/2007 and 29/2010 was agreed in the first instance, under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council. This Council is comprised of representatives of the teacher unions, school management bodies, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Department of Education and Skills chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
In order for qualified teachers to be awarded incremental credit for previous teaching service applicants must complete Section 1 of the application form (FORM INCCR) and request their previous school authority to complete Section 2. The completed application form must then be returned by the previous school authority to my Department in the case of teachers employed in primary, secondary or community and comprehensive schools or to the Chief Executive of the relevant Education and Training Board in the case of teachers employed in vocational schools or community colleges. My Department has no authority to compel school authorities to complete application forms on behalf of applicants.
As the terms of the scheme for the award of Incremental Credit are of general application to all teachers, I am sure you will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me as Minister to intervene in individual cases.
