Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 April 2024
114. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if she can clarify the situation and operation of the professional masters in education incentive scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15891/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have qualified, engaged teachers available to support them in their learning is a priority area of action for the Department.
As part of Budget 2024, I introduced an incentive scheme of up to €2,000 to a person who undertakes a professional masters’ of education (PME), graduating in 2024 and subject to some conditions payable in 2025.
The aim of this incentive scheme is to encourage newly qualified teachers (NQTs) to take up roles in primary and post-primary schools after completing their PME programme and registering with the Teaching Council to help address teacher supply.
My department has commenced work on the design of the scheme including the drafting of a circular on the eligibility requirements. The scheme is due to be open for receipt of applications from eligible teachers after the end of the 2024/25 school year.
This new initiative is one of many initiatives I have introduced to address teacher supply in schools.
In Budget 2024, I also provided for an additional 500 posts of responsibility in the primary school system for the 2024/25 school year in recognition that school leaders play a key role in improving educational outcomes.
These new measures are in addition to a range of targeted measures introduced in recent times, including:
• At primary level, 610 additional places on initial teacher education programmes have been provided for in this and the next academic year (2023/24 and 2024/25).
• The relaxation of restrictions of working while job-sharing or on career break, permitting post-primary teachers to work up to 35 additional hours per term and 3rd and 4th-year undergraduate student teachers continue to provide valuable support to schools as substitute teachers.
• Newly qualified teachers employed in primary schools will from 14 November 2023 be able to apply to the Teaching Council to complete the Droichead process while employed on a Supply Panel or Principal Release Time Post. This measure increases the attractiveness of these posts to NQTs, and supports primary schools to provide substitute cover.
• Continuing the operation of primary substitute teacher supply panels in 2023/24, with 590 teaching posts allocated to 166 panels covering nearly 2,900 schools. This scheme provides substitute cover for teachers employed in primary schools who are absent on short-term leave.
• The 50 day pension abatement waiver has been extended for a further two years to the end of 2025.
• The Teaching Transforms campaign continues to promote the teaching profession and encourage students to follow a career in teaching. The campaign uses digital, radio and video media, and is supported by a dedicated webpage, www.gov.ie/teachingtransforms.
Teaching remains an attractive career choice.
• CAO preferences for primary teaching showed increases at the closing date in February 2024 with overall mentions up 10% and first preferences increasing by 2% from 2023.
• Currently starting pay for primary teachers is over €41,000. The new pay deal, with all three teacher unions having recently voted in favour of, will mean that teachers’ starting salary will increase to €46,000 rising to a maximum of €85,000 per year which compares well internationally
• Over 3,700 newly qualified teachers have registered with the Teaching Council in 2023, with over 122,000 now on the Teaching Council register.
While schools in certain locations are experiencing challenges in recruiting teachers and obtaining substitute teachers, the vast majority of sanctioned teacher positions are filled.
My department continues to engage closely with education stakeholders to develop further, innovative measures to address teacher supply issues.
