Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 September 2025
282. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth when teachers, employed in ETB schools, who have submitted their application in advance of the 31 July deadline, can expect to receive their professional masters of education fee refund, appreciating that teachers employed in other school settings have received the refund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49786/25]
View answer294. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of delays in processing the professional masters in education grant specifically for teachers in the education and training board system; when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49929/25]
View answer295. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason ETB teachers have not received the PME grant refund while Department school teachers have; when they can expect payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49950/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 282, 294 and 295 together.
This Government is committed to ensuring that every child has a positive school experience, with access to qualified and engaged teachers who are dedicated to supporting their learning.
A range of measures have been introduced to support schools in their recruitment efforts. One such measure is the PME Fee Refund Scheme. The Department published Circular 0069/2024 Professional Master of Education (PME) Fee Refund Scheme in September 2024.
This circular provides the eligibility criteria and application process for the scheme. The circular also states that payments to applicants would issue as soon as possible after the 2024/25 school year. As the application deadline was 31 July 2025, and as the school year ended on 31 August 2025, the process of issuing payments continues.
Over 1,800 applications were received by the deadline. Approximately 78% of these met the eligibility criteria with over 77% of eligible applications paid to date. Many of those who did not meet the eligibility criteria have been informed. My Department continues to process applications and expects to have payments processed for eligible applications in the coming weeks.
A number of other measures have also been introduced including a STEM bursary, expansion of upskilling programmes, flexible substitution measures, continued promotion of the profession and workforce planning for teachers and SNAs is under way.
These measures are designed to ensure a steady flow of qualified teachers into the profession and reflect the commitment to ongoing investment in the education system to address teacher supply.
I will continue to consider further measures to strengthen the teaching workforce and ensure that schools have the support needed to provide an excellent education for every student.
