Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
544. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth Education when a teacher returning to the State can expect a final determination on incremental credit for overseas teaching experience; whether this determination can be made in advance of a contract of employment being signed; and if she will outline any plans to ensure salary certainty for returning teachers prior to taking up a position. [30039/26]
View answer545. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the extent to which teaching experience delivering the International Baccalaureate curriculum is recognised for incremental credit purposes; and the way this position is reconciled with the recognition of the International Baccalaureate for entry into third-level education in the State. [30040/26]
View answer546. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of applications received in each of the past five years for the recognition of overseas teaching experience for incremental credit purposes; the number approved, refused or partially approved; and if she will outline any plans to improve data collection in this area. [30041/26]
View answer547. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether fluency in the host country's language is a factor in assessing overseas teaching experience for incremental credit; and if so, the way this requirement is applied in the case of Irish teachers working in international or private schools abroad. [30042/26]
View answer548. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether a review of the policy governing the recognition of overseas teaching experience is underway; and if she will consider reforms to ensure that experienced teachers returning to the State are treated in a fair and transparent manner. [30043/26]
View answer600. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the criteria used by her Department to assess overseas teaching experience for the purpose of incremental credit; the extent to which teaching experience gained in private and international schools is recognised; and whether a review of these criteria is planned. [30579/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 544, 545, 546, 547, 548 and 600 together.
I propose to take PQs 30039, 30040, 30041, 30042, 30043 and 30579/26 together.
In the first instance I would like to draw the Deputy’s attention to my replies to his recent and similar questions in this matter, namely PQ 27806/26, 27806/26 and 27809/26.
The criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in my Department’s Circular 10/2001 for Primary teachers, and Circulars 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers. These circulars provide for the award of incremental credit in respect of prior teaching service, including overseas teaching service, both within and outside the EU, and/or relevant non-teaching service.
The incremental credit scheme is open to teachers employed in Oireachtas funded teaching posts.
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. Following receipt of a completed application form, entitlement is assessed by officials in my Department, or an ETB, within the scope of the agreed scheme. Applications are processed in date of receipt order.
The award of incremental credit is not an automatic entitlement, and there is no contractual entitlement to incremental credit. Where the criteria set out in the circulars have been met an award of incremental credit can be made. Where a teacher applies to have their prior service recognised under the teaching service category, that service should be deemed to be the equivalent of approved teaching service for the purpose of the relevant circular.
Criteria such as whether the school is subject to state funding, whether the school offers a range of studies which incorporates all of the courses prescribed on the national curriculum of the State in which the school is located, whether the school prepares students for a recognised second-level State examination and qualification, can be of relevance when examining claims relating to private schools, as well as the length of time the school has been in existence; such criteria must be satisfied for service at that school to be recognised for incremental credit.
Fluency in the host country's language is not a factor in assessing an application; however, the school is required to confirm if the teacher’s service was satisfactory in all respects.
As the International Baccalaureate is not classified as a recognised second-level State examination and qualification in Ireland, a school which solely provides for the International Baccalaureate does not satisfy the criteria for the award of Incremental credit. Prior teaching service which consists of preparing students for the International Baccalaureate is deemed not to be equivalent to approved teaching service. The International Baccalaureate is, however, recognised for academic purposes and can be compared to other qualifications in the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
The criteria for the award of incremental credit for teachers were agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC) and are subject to review by way of an incremental credit committee, which is a sub-committee of the TCC, and which meets on an ongoing basis.
Through the TCC, 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. The Department examined this as part of the budgetary process, however, it was not possible to secure funding to progress this request. My Department is continuing to examine ways in which the matter may be progressed in the future.
Statistical data on the breakdown of the number of number of applications for overseas teaching experience in the last 5 years is not collated by my department and is not currently available.
