Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I seek an update on the restoration of the Gaeltacht allowance paid to teachers and the disparity that exists for those who joined post July 2011. Our Gaeltacht communities in Mayo are an incredible asset to our county from both a tourism and a cultural perspective. We need to ensure that our teachers do not feel disincentivised from taking up employment in these areas. I understand that, in 2017, schools that were previously categorised as Gaeltacht schools were given the option to opt in or out of scéim aitheantais scoileanna Gaeltachta. However, I was advised that teachers in the schools that opted out continued to receive the Gaeltacht allowance, which is viewed as incredibly unfair to new teachers who are teaching in the schools that remained. I would appreciate an update and for the matter to be addressed as part of budget 2022.

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