Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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70. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a mechanism that would facilitate late applications for the PME/HDip allowance for post-primary teachers as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18372/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Circular 0038/2023 was issued by my Department in August 2023 and notified post primary teachers on the pre-2011 teacher pay scale of additional adjustments to certain allowances from the Sectoral Bargaining Fund with effect from 1 February 2022.

The change implemented under the Circular is the payment of the Professional Master of Education (PME)/Higher Diploma in Education allowance (H.Dip in Ed.) to eligible teachers and is based on an application process.

The closing date for receipt of applications was the 29th March 2024. This date was notified to all teachers in Circular 0038/2023.

My Department did not receive an application form from the person named prior to the closing date for receipt of applications.

Paragraph 19 of Circular 0038/2023 states:

"The closing date for receipt of applications for qualification allowances will be 29th March 2024. Any late application received by the Department/ETB after 29th March 2024 will not be processed and will be returned to the sender. There will be no exceptions to this provision."

Paragraph 20 of Circular 0038/2023 states:

"Please ensure that copies of this Circular are provided to all members of the Board of Management/Education and Training Board and its contents are brought to the attention of all teachers in your employment including those on leave of absence."

In line with the terms of Circular 0039/2023, my Department is unable to accept applications made after the 29th March 2024 deadline.