Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 520: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason teachers who acquired the remedial qualification prior to 2005 are not in receipt of the special education diploma allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16758/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The terms and conditions of teachers are matters for the Teachers Conciliation Council. This Council is comprised of representatives of teacher unions, school management associations, the Department of Finance and the Department of Education and Science. The terms of agreements reached at this Council are of general application to all teachers.

The criteria for the award of an allowance in respect of the Graduate/Higher Diploma in Special Educational Needs were agreed at the Teachers Conciliation Council and are set out in Circular 0135/2006 of my Department. This agreement restricts the payment of the allowance to specific courses completed at one of the designated institutions.