Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2024
360. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the reason that full incremental credit is not awarded to post-primary teachers for their experience working abroad in jurisdictions such as Australia and Dubai; the estimated additional cost of extending full incremental credit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42889/24]
View answerThe criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in the Department of Education’s Circulars 10/2001 for primary teachers, and 29/2007 and 29/2010 for post-primary teachers. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC).
These circulars provide for the award of incremental credit in respect of overseas teaching service, both within and without the EU. Where a school satisfies the criteria set out in the circulars to have service at that school recognised for incremental credit, an award of incremental credit can be made.
Criteria such as whether the school is subject to state funding, which can be of particular relevance when examining claims relating to private teaching schools, and the length of time the school has been in existence, must be satisfied in order for service at that school to be recognised for incremental credit.
Where schools do not satisfy the required criteria, then service at that school cannot be considered towards incremental credit. Teachers must be on the Department of Education’s teacher payroll or teaching in an Education and Training Board school before an application can be processed.
The criteria for the award of incremental credit for teachers are subject to review by way of an incremental credit committee, which is a sub-committee of the Teachers Conciliation Council, and which meets on an ongoing basis.
Through the Teachers Conciliation Council, the teacher unions have lodged a claim concerning the recognition of private post primary teaching service outside the EU towards the award of incremental credit and this claim is currently being considered by the Department.
It is estimated that the cost of the award of incremental credit to teachers returning to Ireland with this service each year would be approximately €1.3m per annum.
