Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

57. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will reinstate the special education diploma allowance that was passed at congress (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50545/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department, along with other Departments across the public service, implemented the outcome of the public service-wide review of allowances and premium payments (September 2012) by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (DPENDPDR). This meant that many allowances were no longer payable to “new entrants” including teachers. Among the allowances that had sanction for payment to new beneficiaries removed was the Diploma in Special Education allowance.

In terms of the possible reintroduction of any allowance, under the local bargaining provision for Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026, employers and trade unions/associations may negotiate additional changes in rates of pay and/or conditions of employment. Over the course of recent collective agreements, amendments have been agreed which have seen the value of certain allowances previously withdrawn being integrated into “new entrant” teacher pay. Examples are the equivalent of an honour’s primary degree allowance and the PME allowance.

Additional amendments to teacher terms and conditions, including pay and allowances, can only be achieved through engagement and collective bargaining agreements between the Government and the Public Service unions.

This is one of the matters that may come under consideration under the local bargaining provision of the PSA 2024-2026 and as such matters under industrial relations processes are confidential to the parties it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further at this time.