Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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333. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has considered allowing new teachers with practical experience in subjects relevant to that which they teach (details supplied), to start out on a higher pay scale based on their prior non-teaching experience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9468/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC). This Council is comprised of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Education. The Council is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.

The criteria for the award of incremental credit is laid out in my Department's Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post Primary teachers. For the purposes of prior relevant non-teaching service, the relevant Circular for Post Primary teachers is 29/2007.

This circular provides for the award of incremental credit for both prior teaching service and prior relevant non-teaching service. Relevant non-teaching service is defined as service other than teaching service. This criteria includes that the relevant non-teaching experience so gained must be demonstrated by the teacher, to the satisfaction of the school authority (including Education and Training Boards as appropriate) and of the Department, to be directly relevant to the requirements of the post to which the teacher has been appointed.

When applying for incremental credit a teacher must be in an Oireachtas funded post. If the teacher is working in an ETB school, their application should be directed towards the HR Unit of that ETB. Further information on Circular 29/2007 and the application form can be found on the Department’s website at the following link Circular 29/2007.