Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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103. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason primary teachers cannot receive incremental credit for working in private schools outside the EU but post-primary teachers can (details supplied). [6049/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The terms and conditions of employment of teachers in Ireland, who are paid out of monies provided by the Oireachtas, are a matter for the Teachers' Conciliation Council (TCC).  This Council is comprised of representatives of the teacher unions, school management bodies, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Department of Education chaired by an Official of the Workplace Relations Commission.  The terms and conditions set out in that circular were agreed under the auspices of the TCC.

The criteria required to have incremental credit awarded to teachers are set out in the Department of Education Circulars 10/2001 for Primary and 29/2007 & 29/2010 for Post-Primary. Under the circulars primary teachers can receive incremental credit for working in private schools outside the EU but post-primary teachers cannot.

The teachers unions have lodged a number of claims at TCC in relation to incremental credit, including one in relation to recognising private teaching service, given by post-primary teachers, outside the EU.  TCC agreed to establish a sub-Committee to consider the claims.  The claims are still under consideration.