Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding teachers pay rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49994/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Recently this Government has made adjustments to Public Service pay on foot of the allowances review. The most significant adjustment is that new entrant teachers will not receive qualification allowances but will start on a salary of €30,702 which is equivalent to the fourth point of the existing scale. They will also have the option of being paid a pensionable allowance of €1,592 for supervision and substitution which, in return for providing 12 additional hours per year over and above the existing requirement, will bring their starting salary to €32,294.

Teaching is one of the few areas within the public sector which does not face a moratorium on recruitment and opportunities for employment remain. As has been reported in the media, due to the growing demographics at school level, there will be a need for additional teachers to be recruited over the next three years.