Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide statistical data on the number of newly qualified teachers who have emigrated since the decision to cut their allowances by 14%; his views on the numbers of recently graduated teachers who are being forced to pursue a career abroad that has enhanced career prospects and which is better paid. [19512/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As a result of Budget 2012, Circular 70/2011 provides that teachers who had been engaged in a public sector teaching post on or before 4 December 2011 are eligible to retain the qualification allowances they were entitled to be in receipt of on that date. Such teachers will not be paid any additional allowance where they acquire any further qualification on or after 5 December 2011. 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 being led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Teachers who were appointed to teaching for the first time on or after 5 December 2011 but before 1 February 2012 are eligible for allowances on the basis of their qualifications at entry to the profession up to a maximum of the allowance which had been applicable to an honours primary degree. Pending the outcome of the public service-wide review, and subject to very limited exceptions, allowances are not payable to new beneficiaries appointed on or after 1 February 2012. These decisions were 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. The information sought in respect of statistical data on the number of newly qualified teachers who have emigrated following changes in the payment of allowances is not available in the Department.