Dáil debates
Thursday, 19 May 2016
Other Questions
Teachers' Remuneration
5:45 pm
Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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13. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to review the two-tier payscale that leaves newly qualified teachers substantially underpaid in comparison with their counterparts. [10765/16]
Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Government has committed to establishing a public service pay commission to examine pay levels across the public service, including the entry pay levels to which the Deputy refers. The Government recognises the importance of being able to attract quality new entrants to the public service, particularly so in important professional areas such as education.
The restrictions in entry pay levels were introduced in 2011 and 2012 across the public service at a time when the pressure in public finances was severe and the scope for new recruitment was very restricted. Under the Lansdowne Road agreement, the process of restoring public pay is commencing. An important feature of this is the flat rate increase which is being implemented. This is proportionately more valuable to those early in their careers. Restoration of the supervision and substitution payment is provided for subject to co-operation with the Lansdowne Road agreement. The Lansdowne Road agreement did not address the issue of pay of new entrants.
My Department continues to seek to engage with teacher unions on issues of mutual concern and has recently reached agreement with INTO and TUI in respect of a number of items, including discussions to improve the position of teachers on fixed-term and part-time teaching, a robust review of in-school management structures, and an increase in the quantum of the extra so-called Croke Park hours which do not have to be worked on a whole-school basis. The Government has also indicated that it will support the gradual negotiated repeal of FEMPI measures having due regard to the priority to improve public services and in recognition of the essential role played by public servants.
| PRE-2011 ENTRANT SCALE 1/1/10 TO 31/12/15 | PRE-2011 ENTRANT SCALE | 2011 ENTRANT SCALE 1/1/11 TO 31/6/13 | 2011 ENTRANT SCALE 1/7/13 TO 31/10/13 | 2011 ENTRANT SCALE 1/11/13 TO 31/12/15 | 2011 ENTRANT SCALE | 2012 ENTRANT SCALE 1/2/12 TO 31/6/2013 | 2012 ENTRANT SCALE 1/7/13 TO 31/12/15 | 2012 ENTRANT SCALE | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 30,904 | 31,213 | 27,814 | 27,814 | 27,814 | 28,092 | 30,702 | 30,702 | 31,009 | ||
2 | 31,972 | 31,972 | 28,775 | 28,775 | 29,256 | 29,549 | 32,198 | 33,168 | 33,168 | ||
3 | 33,041 | 33,041 | 29,737 | 30,702 | 30,904 | 31,213 | 33,168 | 33,950 | 33,950 | ||
4 | 34,113 | 34,113 | 30,702 | 31,924 | 31,972 | 31,972 | 34,136 | 36,576 | 36,576 | ||
5 | 35,775 | 35,775 | 32,198 | 33,168 | 33,041 | 33,041 | 36,576 | 37,795 | 37,795 | ||
6 | 36,853 | 36,853 | 33,168 | 34,136 | 34,113 | 34,113 | 37,795 | 39,251 | 39,251 | ||
7 | 37,929 | 37,929 | 34,136 | 36,576 | 35,775 | 35,775 | 39,251 | 40,700 | 40,700 | ||
8 | 40,640 | 40,640 | 36,576 | 37,795 | 36,853 | 36,853 | 40,700 | 42,160 | 42,160 | ||
9 | 41,994 | 41,994 | 37,795 | 39,251 | 37,929 | 37,929 | 42,160 | 43,380 | 43,380 | ||
10 | 43,612 | 43,612 | 39,251 | 40,700 | 40,640 | 40,640 | 43,380 | 44,996 | 44,996 | ||
11 | 45,222 | 45,222 | 40,700 | 42,160 | 41,994 | 41,994 | 44,996 | 44,996 | 44,996 | ||
12 | 46,844 | 46,844 | 42,160 | 43,380 | 43,612 | 43,612 | 44,996 | 44,996 | 44,996 | ||
13 | 48,200 | 48,200 | 43,380 | 44,996 | 45,222 | 45,222 | 44,996 | 47,225 | 47,225 | ||
14 | 49,996 | 49,996 | 44,996 | 44,996 | 46,844 | 46,844 | 47,225 | 47,225 | 47,225 | ||
15 | 49,996 | 49,996 | 44,996 | 44,996 | 48,200 | 48,200 | 47,225 | 47,225 | 47,225 | ||
16 | 49,996 | 49,996 | 44,996 | 47,225 | 49,996 | 49,996 | 47,225 | 47,225 | 47,225 | ||
17 | 52,472 | 52,472 | 47,225 | 47,225 | 49,996 | 49,996 | 47,225 | 50,170 | 50,170 | ||
18 | 52,472 | 52,472 | 47,225 | 47,225 | 49,996 | 49,996 | 50,170 | 50,170 | 50,170 | ||
19 | 52,472 | 52,472 | 47,225 | 47,225 | 52,472 | 52,472 | 50,170 | 50,170 | 50,170 | ||
20 | 52,472 | 52,472 | 47,225 | 50,170 | 52,472 | 52,472 | 50,170 | 50,170 | 50,170 | ||
21 | 55,744 | 55,744 | 50,170 | 50,170 | 52,472 | 52,472 | 50,170 | 53,423 | 53,423 | ||
22 | 55,744 | 55,744 | 50,170 | 50,170 | 52,472 | 52,472 | 53,423 | 53,423 | 53,423 | ||
23 | 55,744 | 55,744 | 50,170 | 53,423 | 55,744 | 55,744 | 53,423 | 53,423 | |||
24 | 55,744 | 55,744 | 50,170 | 54,339 | 55,744 | 55,744 | 58,765 | 58,765 | |||
25 | 59,359 | 59,359 | 53,423 | 55,514 | 55,744 | 55,744 | 59,940 | 59,940 | |||
26 | 55,744 | 55,744 | |||||||||
27 | 59,359 | 59,359 |
Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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I am disappointed with that response. The Minister did not mention at any stage that he has met any of these newly qualified teachers. I have been in contact with many of them from my constituency and they tell me they are finding it difficult to afford mortgages and basic living conditions. It is unfair that these teachers have been put in that position. Teachers go above and beyond the call of duty. It has caused division in staffrooms throughout the country that there is a two-tier pay scale and it needs to be addressed urgently. I urge the Minister to meet groups of newly qualified teachers to hear their stories.
What is the timeframe for the establishment of the commission the Minister mentioned? I would also like clarity in terms of the restoration of allowances. The Minister stated that will be subject to co-operation. To what co-operation will it be subject? As I stated, teachers go beyond the call of duty and they have been fulfilling the criteria in terms of so-called Croke Park hours and everything else that goes with it. I would like clarity on that point as well.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Unfortunately, time has elapsed. Perhaps the Minister would correspond with Deputy Nolan on the information she has sought.