Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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533. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if teaching experience could be treated similarly to industry experience for the calculation of incremental credits (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17165/23]

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.  Under the terms of the circular relevant non-teaching service cannot be substituted for teaching service.