John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the payment of allowance to teachers for masters level qualifications, in particular with relation to teachers who took up further education at their own personal expense, and who would have had a legitimate expectation to receive their increases when they began their studies prior to the abolition of degree allowance in December 2011; and if he will review a specific case in respect of a person (details supplied) [41833/12]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details provided) regarding remuneration for qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41864/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 183 together.

The Government announced as part of Budget 2012 that, pending completion of the public service-wide review of allowances, changes to teacher qualification allowances were being made with immediate effect. These changes affect new allowances payable to both existing teachers and to new appointees in the future.

Under Budget 2012 teachers appointed before 5 December 2011 are not paid an allowance where they acquire further qualifications after that date. Allowances for teachers first appointed between 5 December 2011 and 31 January 2012 are payable up to a maximum of €4,226 which was the rate applicable to Honours Primary Degree allowance. Allowances are not payable to new entrants from 1 February 2012. The only exceptions to this prohibition are principal and deputy principal allowances and, subject to certain restrictions, the assistant principal allowance. These decisions were taken due to the upward pressure on the cost of teacher allowances. These provisions are outlined in Circular 70/2011 and Circular 3/2012. In light of the recent Government announcement on the outcome of the public service-wide review, the position of teachers who, on 5 December 2011, were undertaking courses will be clarified as soon as possible.