Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
529. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the plans to reinstate the qualification allowance for teachers, particularly for training and further education in special education subjects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6102/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Education and Youth, along with other Departments across the public service, implemented the outcome of the public service-wide review of allowances and premium payments (September 2012) by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (PER). This meant that many allowances were no longer payable to “new entrants” including Teachers. Among the allowances that had sanction for payment to new beneficiaries removed was the Diploma in Special Education allowance.
The current pay agreement, Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026, contains a local bargaining provision under which employers and trade unions/associations may negotiate additional changes in rates of pay and/or conditions of employment. Over the course of recent collective agreements, amendments have been agreed which have seen the value of certain allowances previously withdrawn being integrated into “new entrant” teacher pay. Examples are the equivalent of an honour’s primary degree allowance and the PME allowance.
Additional amendments to teacher Terms and Conditions, including pay and allowances, can only be achieved through engagement and collective bargaining agreements between the Government and the Public Service unions. As this is one of the matters that may come under consideration under the local bargaining provision of the PSA 2024-2026 and as such matters under industrial relations processes are confidential to the parties it would not be appropriate to comment any further at this time.
