Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a qualification allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) [3438/12]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 235: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide clarification of his plans for any changes to the masters degree allowance for teachers in budget 2012; if he will commit to maintaining the payment due to the beneficial effect it has had on the teaching profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4041/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 235 together.

Circular 70/2011, which clarified the position on qualification allowances for teachers, schools and the public, was published on my Department's website on Friday, 16 December 2011. This Circular outlines the position in relation to existing teachers and those entering the profession on or after 5 December 2011. Individual teachers who have been engaged in a public sector teaching post on or before 4 December 2011 are eligible to retain the allowances they were entitled to be in receipt of on that date. Existing teachers will not be paid any additional allowance where they acquire any further qualification on or after 5 December 2011.

The position of existing 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 to be led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.