Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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820. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason Irish teachers returning from teaching abroad must obtain forms (details supplied) to claim increments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45503/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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, and 29/2007 and 29/2010, for post-primary teachers. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers were agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC).

In accordance with the Circulars, the incremental credit scheme is only open to teachers who are employed in an Oireachtas funded teaching post. It is not possible for the Department to consider applications for incremental credit from teachers who are employed in non-Oireachtas funded teaching posts, either in Ireland or abroad.

These circulars provide for the award of incremental credit in respect of overseas teaching service, both within and outside the EU. Where a school satisfies the criteria set out in the circulars to have service at that school recognised for incremental credit, an award of incremental credit can be made. There is no contractual entitlement to incremental credit.

These circulars may recognise prior teaching or relevant non-teaching service. Where an application for relevant non-teaching service is made by a teacher, the teacher is required to demonstrate the relevance of such service in relation to the initial subjects they teach following that service.

Criteria such as whether the school is subject to state funding, which can be of relevance when examining claims relating to private teaching schools, and the length of time the school has been in existence, must be satisfied for service at that school to be recognised for incremental credit.

Where schools do not satisfy the required criteria, then service at that school cannot be considered towards incremental credit. Teachers must be on the Department of Education’s teacher payroll or teaching in an Education and Training Board school before an application can be processed.

The criteria for the award of incremental credit for teachers are subject to review by way of an incremental credit committee, which is a sub-committee of the Teachers Conciliation Council, and which meets on an ongoing basis.