Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 May 2018
90. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full year cost of restoring all allowances to new entry teachers which were abolished in 2012-2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19424/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs a consequence of the economic crisis, there was a need to enact a number of measures to reduce public expenditure so as to stabilise the country's public finances.
The Government approved a number of measures relating to public service allowances following a public service-wide review of allowances and premium payments conducted by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. As a result of the Government decision, certain allowances were withdrawn for new beneficiaries with effect from 1 February 2012. The details are set out in my Department's Circular 08/2013.
Any person who was in receipt of the relevant allowances on 31 January 2012 will continue to be paid that allowance except where that teacher ceases that job role or changes school or employer on or after 1 February 2012. Where a teacher is redeployed under the agreed redeployment scheme, this will not be regarded as a cessation.
As part of the public service-wide review of allowances, the Government withdrew qualification allowances for new teachers altogether. As a result of the September 2016 Agreement with Unions, revised salary scales which include the Honours Primary Degree allowance have been applied from 1 January 2018 to teachers recruited since 1 January 2011. A registered teacher now commences on an annual salary of over €35,950 under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018 - 2020. The starting salary for a registered teacher commencing teaching for the first time in October 2020 will be €37,600.
The information on the estimated cost of allowances is being collated and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy.
