Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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64. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the case of a PME student (details supplied) who completed all required course work and school placements in 2024, but whose formal award was not issued until early 2025; if such cases can be deemed eligible for the PME refund scheme for 2024, given that the requirements were fully completed within that year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52215/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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This Government is committed to ensuring that every child has a positive school experience, with access to qualified and engaged teachers who are dedicated to supporting their learning.

A range of measures have been introduced to support schools in their recruitment efforts. One such measure is the PME Fee Refund Scheme. The Department published Circular 0069/2024 Professional Master of Education (PME) Fee Refund Scheme in September 2024.

This circular provides the eligibility criteria and application process for the scheme. The circular also states that applicants must be newly qualified teachers that have successfully completed a PME programme in 2024 calendar year. The completion of the course work in itself does not satisfy the requirement that applicants have successfully completed their PME programme.

As part of the verification process, the Department confirmed with the Teaching Council those applicants who graduated with a PME qualification in 2024.

Over 1,800 applications were received, approximately 78% of these met the eligibility criteria. My Department continues to process applications and expects to have payments processed for eligible applications in the coming weeks.

My Department has been in contact with the above-named student and I can confirm that their application is currently being reviewed.

A number of other measures have also been introduced including a STEM bursary, expansion of upskilling programmes, flexible substitution measures, continued promotion of the profession and workforce planning for teachers and SNAs is under way.

These measures are designed to ensure a steady flow of qualified teachers into the profession and reflect the commitment to ongoing investment in the education system to address teacher supply.

I will continue to consider further measures to strengthen the teaching workforce and ensure that schools have the support needed to provide an excellent education for every student.