Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the announcement in budget 2012 that qualified teachers who undertake and complete further studies such as a masters or doctorate will no longer receive additional salary allowances, if he will clarify the position of teachers who were participating in or had recently completed courses at the time of the budget announcement; if he recognises that undertaking these courses requires a significant financial investment and can involve taking time off work and, consequently, loss of income and these teachers had legitimate expectation that their investment would be somewhat offset by an additional qualification allowance following graduation. [2961/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The position of teachers who, on 5 December 2011, were undertaking courses will be considered in the context of the public service-wide review of allowances announced in Budget 2012 which is being led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I am aware that undertaking any course of further or higher education requires a high level of commitment and financial investment. In common with many professions, the additional qualifications achieved by teachers who undertake additional study should prove an advantage in securing employment in their chosen areas. The decision to cap allowances at current levels for existing teachers was taken due to the upward pressure on the cost of teacher allowances. Without immediate action, this upward pressure would have cancelled out the savings made elsewhere in the education system and would bring about even harsher adjustments to schools and services.