Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
587. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the eligibility criteria for the awarding of incremental credit to teachers with experience in private schools at primary level. [4481/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in the department’s circulars; Circular 10/2001 for Primary teachers and Circulars 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 teaching service, both within and outside 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.
Teaching service given outside the Republic of Ireland by a qualified teacher in a school or college which is equivalent to a primary or post primary school in the Republic of Ireland may qualify for the award of incremental credit.
Circular Letter 10/01 Par. 8 relates to service given in Private Schools within the EU and sets out that all teaching service given by teachers in private primary schools within the EU may be reckonable for the award of incremental credit. The credit may be awarded with effect from the 1st September 2000 or the date of a teacher’s appointment in a temporary or permanent capacity whichever is the later.
In order for service under this scheme to be recognised, the following criteria must be satisfied:
• The service must have been satisfactory,
• The service must have been remunerated,
• The service must have been full time.
For the purposes of this scheme, a private school shall be defined as one which:
• has been in existence for a period of at least 10 years,
• 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,
• offers a full range of classes to all pupils within its designated range,
• is funded by the payment of pupil fees,
• is open to receive pupils for the duration of the primary school year.
Service in a private primary school situated outside of the EU may also be considered by the Department where it has been demonstrated that the above criteria have also been met. Incremental credit is allowed in respect of approved teaching service outside the EU up to a maximum of 7 years.
Credit for service given in private schools in the Republic of Ireland during an approved period of unpaid leave cannot be claimed e.g. career break.
Where schools do not satisfy the required criteria, then service at that school cannot be considered towards incremental credit, for example, an application for previous teaching service outside the EU would be refused if the school is private fee-paying school, not subject to state funding and fully funded by pupil fees only or not 10 years established.
