Written answers
Tuesday, 30 January 2024
Department of Education and Skills
School Staff
Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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264. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the awarding of incremental credits for teachers for prior work in a related field; if she believes that the current system is overly restrictive; if she believes that the Appeals Committee established under section 6C of the scheme for the Award of Incremental Credits should have to issue comprehensive judgements following an appeal; if she would consider establishing an independent appeals process for this matter; if such appeals can be appealed to the Ombudsman; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3763/24]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in the Department’s Circulars, 10/2001 for Primary teachers, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC).
Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers and 29/2007 for Post-Primary teachers, require the teacher to demonstrate that their previous non-teaching service is relevant to their role as a teacher. Furthermore this circular requires the Department to be satisfied that this previous relevant non-teaching experience is directly relevant to the post to which the teacher is appointed.
Under Agreed Report 10/2000, the TCC established both the Primary and Post Primary Independent Incremental Credit Appeals Committees. The workings of each Appeal Committee are confidential and their decision is final, as per the terms of reference of those committees.
A teacher may appeal to the Primary or Post-Primary Independent Incremental Credit Appeals Committee if their incremental credit is limited or refused. The Independent Appeal Committees are responsible for processing appeals and their workings are confidential.
The Post-Primary Independent Committee is comprised of an independent chairperson, a TUI representative, an ASTI representative, a school management representative and two officers of the Department, which includes a member of the relevant unit who acts as a secretary to the committee.
The Primary Independent Appeals Committee is comprised of an independent chairperson, a representative of the INTO, a representative of the CPSMA, a Department Primary Inspector, and a member of the relevant unit who acts as a secretary to the committee.
The role of each committee is to ensure that the Department has acted fairly and consistently in relation to incremental credit applications.
The Office of the Ombudsman can examine complaints against most organisations that deliver public services. These include government departments, local authorities, the HSE, nursing homes and publicly funded third level education bodies. Further information on the role of the Ombudsman can be found on the website of the Ombudsman at www.ombudsman.ie.
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