Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 May 2018
94. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the estimated full year cost of restoring all allowances to new entrant teachers which were abolished in 2012 and 2013 has been collated; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22838/18]
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 stabilize 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 As a result of the Government decision, certain allowances were withdrawn for new beneficiaries with effect from 1 February 2012.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 the 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 annual cost of restoring the H.Dip allowance is estimated at €7 million.
The annual cost of restoring allowances to new entry teachers in Primary, Voluntary Secondary and Community and Comprehensive schools would be in the region of €1.07m, comprised of €0.43m to restore the Gaeltacht Allowance, €0.62m to restore the Teaching through Irish allowance and €0.02m to restore the Island Allowance (Primary only).
The annual cost of restoring the Secretary to the Board of Management allowance is estimated at €1m. However, this allowance is not payable to new entrants on the commencement of their teaching career, it is payable to Principals who act as Secretary to the Board of Management. There is a minimum service requirement before teachers are appointed to the post of Principal and accordingly it would be a number of years before the full cost of that allowance would be payable.
These costs relate only to teachers paid on payrolls operated by my Department and do not include the cost applicable to teachers employed by Education and Training Boards.
