Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
242. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department will expedite an incremental credit for a post-primary school teacher (details supplied) in recognition of earlier experience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72902/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in the Department’s Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, 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).
To receive the qualified rate of pay, a teacher must be registered with the Teaching Council and have qualifications appropriate to the teaching sector for which they are employed. Teaching service prior to educational qualification as confirmed by the Teaching Council of Ireland is paid at the unqualified rate of pay.
The award of incremental credit is not an automatic entitlement, applicants must submit a fully completed incremental credit application in order to have prior service assessed. When an application for incremental credit is received in the Department, it is checked to ensure that it is fully completed. Applications are managed in date received order.
Applications can take up to 20 weeks to be fully processed but most are dealt with well within this timeframe. Factors that impact on this processing time include incomplete application forms and conflicting information on the application form such as email addresses. Please be advised that if the teacher meets the criteria set out in Circular 0029/2007, incremental credit will be awarded and any monies due paid accordingly.
With regard to the application to which you refer, the Department was not made aware that the teacher was awaiting a decision on her application due to applying for a mortgage. As this teacher is in the process of securing a mortgage, the application for incremental credit will be brought to the forefront to review by this Unit and a letter will issue to her regarding same.
