Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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733. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the current process for applying for incremental credit for teachers who are not route 1 qualified, particularly in cases where applicants have extensive teaching experience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58523/25]

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, 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).

These incremental credit circulars apply to teachers who are working in both Department and ETB posts. ETBs have autonomy to process incremental credit applications from teachers paid directly by them.

Teachers who have previously worked in an unqualified capacity may not claim incremental credit under these circulars because such service does not meet the circular eligibility criteria. Only prior qualified teaching service may reckon for incremental credit purposes.

To receive the qualified rate of pay, a teacher must be registered with the Teaching Council and have qualifications appropriate to the teaching sector for which they are employed.

The Teaching Council is the professional standards body for the teaching profession, which promotes and regulates professional standards in teaching. The council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and in line with the Teaching Council Registration Regulations, 2016. As set out in the Schedule of the Regulations, the Council registers teachers under five routes of registration. The minimum registration requirements for each route are set out in the Regulations. The Teaching Council is independent in their registration function and neither the Minister nor the Department have any role in this regard.

When teaching in Ireland, a teacher is required by law to register with the Teaching Council under the appropriate route of registration. This is the case for those working in Department and ETB posts. The Teaching Council are required to process registration applications from all teachers including those who have worked or qualified outside of Ireland.