Ms Sheila Nunan:

I have read very carefully the debate that took place last week between the Secretary General and staff from the Department of Education and Skills and the committee. Obviously, the big four allowances account for a substantial amount of the money paid by the Department of Education and Skills to teachers who are on allowances. There are allowances paid to a smaller number of people who have been identified by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of the discussion that is to take place. Those are the allowances for which the Department did not make a business case; I refer to the island, Gaeltacht, teaching in gaelscoil and secretary to board of management allowances. Without going into a negotiating position, it is no secret that we will be contesting the abolition of those allowances.