Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 23 together.

Officials from my Department and the Department of Education and Skills met the ASTI regarding the union's concerns on 7 July, 18 August and 13 September. The issues of new entrant teachers' pay and supervision and substitution payments among other matters were discussed in respect of ASTI members, forming the focus of those meetings. Notwithstanding these engagements between the parties, it has not been possible to date to reach an agreement on issues of direct mutual concern.

The inconclusive outcome of the ASTI meetings is in contrast with the agreement reached between the two Departments and the TUI and INTO on new entrant pay. This agreement will result in increases of up to €2,000 per year for new teachers at the start of their careers. The estimated value of these increases over a teacher's career is €135,000. This agreement gives substantial benefits to new teachers and shows what is possible through dialogue and negotiation within the Lansdowne Road agreement.

I will provide a practical example that highlights the increases over the period 1 September 2016 to 1 January 2018 for new entrants who commenced in 2014 and have signed up to the agreement. The starting point of 31 August 2016 is €33,168. The point on 1 January 2018, including increments, new entrant pay restoration, supervision and substitution, and the Lansdowne Road agreement increase, is €39,482. This is an increase of €6,314 between the end of this summer and the start of 2018, representing a percentage restoration and gain of 19%.

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