Teachers' Remuneration

Thursday, 19 May 2016

Ceisteanna (13)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

13. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to review the two-tier payscale that leaves newly qualified teachers substantially underpaid in comparison with their counterparts. [10765/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí ó Béal (3 píosaí cainte)

Deputy Richard Bruton

The Government has committed to establishing a public service pay commission to examine pay levels across the public service, including the entry pay levels to which the Deputy refers. The Government recognises the importance of being able to attract quality new entrants to the public service, particularly so in important professional areas such as education.

The restrictions in entry pay levels were introduced in 2011 and 2012 across the public service at a time when the pressure in public finances was severe and the scope for new recruitment was very restricted. Under the Lansdowne Road agreement, the process of restoring public pay is commencing. An important feature of this is the flat rate increase which is being implemented. This is proportionately more valuable to those early in their careers. Restoration of the supervision and substitution payment is provided for subject to co-operation with the Lansdowne Road agreement. The Lansdowne Road agreement did not address the issue of pay of new entrants.

My Department continues to seek to engage with teacher unions on issues of mutual concern and has recently reached agreement with INTO and TUI in respect of a number of items, including discussions to improve the position of teachers on fixed-term and part-time teaching, a robust review of in-school management structures, and an increase in the quantum of the extra so-called Croke Park hours which do not have to be worked on a whole-school basis. The Government has also indicated that it will support the gradual negotiated repeal of FEMPI measures having due regard to the priority to improve public services and in recognition of the essential role played by public servants.

	PRE-2011 ENTRANT SCALE 1/1/10 TO 31/12/15		PRE-2011 ENTRANT SCALE	2011 ENTRANT SCALE 1/1/11 TO 31/6/13	2011 ENTRANT SCALE 1/7/13 TO 31/10/13	2011 ENTRANT SCALE 1/11/13 TO 31/12/15		2011 ENTRANT SCALE	2012 ENTRANT SCALE 1/2/12 TO 31/6/2013	2012 ENTRANT SCALE 1/7/13 TO 31/12/15	2012 ENTRANT SCALE
1	30,904	31,213		27,814	27,814	27,814	28,092		30,702	30,702	31,009
2	31,972	31,972		28,775	28,775	29,256	29,549		32,198	33,168	33,168
3	33,041	33,041		29,737	30,702	30,904	31,213		33,168	33,950	33,950
4	34,113	34,113		30,702	31,924	31,972	31,972		34,136	36,576	36,576
5	35,775	35,775		32,198	33,168	33,041	33,041		36,576	37,795	37,795
6	36,853	36,853		33,168	34,136	34,113	34,113		37,795	39,251	39,251
7	37,929	37,929		34,136	36,576	35,775	35,775		39,251	40,700	40,700
8	40,640	40,640		36,576	37,795	36,853	36,853		40,700	42,160	42,160
9	41,994	41,994		37,795	39,251	37,929	37,929		42,160	43,380	43,380
10	43,612	43,612		39,251	40,700	40,640	40,640		43,380	44,996	44,996
11	45,222	45,222		40,700	42,160	41,994	41,994		44,996	44,996	44,996
12	46,844	46,844		42,160	43,380	43,612	43,612		44,996	44,996	44,996
13	48,200	48,200		43,380	44,996	45,222	45,222		44,996	47,225	47,225
14	49,996	49,996		44,996	44,996	46,844	46,844		47,225	47,225	47,225
15	49,996	49,996		44,996	44,996	48,200	48,200		47,225	47,225	47,225
16	49,996	49,996		44,996	47,225	49,996	49,996		47,225	47,225	47,225
17	52,472	52,472		47,225	47,225	49,996	49,996		47,225	50,170	50,170
18	52,472	52,472		47,225	47,225	49,996	49,996		50,170	50,170	50,170
19	52,472	52,472		47,225	47,225	52,472	52,472		50,170	50,170	50,170
20	52,472	52,472		47,225	50,170	52,472	52,472		50,170	50,170	50,170
21	55,744	55,744		50,170	50,170	52,472	52,472		50,170	53,423	53,423
22	55,744	55,744		50,170	50,170	52,472	52,472		53,423	53,423	53,423
23	55,744	55,744		50,170	53,423	55,744	55,744			53,423	53,423
24	55,744	55,744		50,170	54,339	55,744	55,744			58,765	58,765
25	59,359	59,359		53,423	55,514	55,744	55,744			59,940	59,940
26						55,744	55,744
27						59,359	59,359

Deputy Carol Nolan

I am disappointed with that response. The Minister did not mention at any stage that he has met any of these newly qualified teachers. I have been in contact with many of them from my constituency and they tell me they are finding it difficult to afford mortgages and basic living conditions. It is unfair that these teachers have been put in that position. Teachers go above and beyond the call of duty. It has caused division in staffrooms throughout the country that there is a two-tier pay scale and it needs to be addressed urgently. I urge the Minister to meet groups of newly qualified teachers to hear their stories.

What is the timeframe for the establishment of the commission the Minister mentioned? I would also like clarity in terms of the restoration of allowances. The Minister stated that will be subject to co-operation. To what co-operation will it be subject? As I stated, teachers go beyond the call of duty and they have been fulfilling the criteria in terms of so-called Croke Park hours and everything else that goes with it. I would like clarity on that point as well.

An Ceann Comhairle

Unfortunately, time has elapsed. Perhaps the Minister would correspond with Deputy Nolan on the information she has sought.

Written Answers are published on the Oireachtas website.