ASTI - Ireland's main second level teachers union

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The Department of Education and Skills has issued Circular 70/2011, which relates to changes in the application of qualification allowances for teachers as announced in Budget 2012.

Prior to the issuing of the Circular, the ASTI made strong representations to the Department stating  that teachers currently undertaking academic courses which began before the Budget 2012 announcement have a legitimate expectation to receive the allowances that were available when they signed up for further study.

The ASTI also stated that the changes are unfair and will discourage teachers from engaging in further study.

Qualification allowances are paid to teachers for their Degree and PGDE/ H.Dip. They are also payable to those who undertake additional study such as a Masters or PhD. Such qualifications are beneficial not only for individual teachers but for entire school communities including students. They are particularly valuable to teachers in light of the moratorium on Posts of Responsibility in second-level schools which means there are no promotional opportunities for the vast majority of second-level teachers. Capping qualification allowances for new teachers and removing allowances for existing teachers looking to up-skill, will be a major deterrent because of the personal and financial commitments required by those undertaking such courses.

The ASTI has also objected to the Circular on the basis that it is yet another attack on young teachers entering the teaching profession who earn approximately 14% less than their colleagues and will soon be forced to join an inferior pension scheme which will see them pay more towards their pensions than they will ever receive in pension benefits.

In addition the ASTI has stated that teachers currently undertaking academic courses which began before the Budget 2012 announcement, have a legitimate expectation that they will receive the allowances that were available when they signed up for further study.

Department Circular 70/2011 – key points

• The Circular confirms that existing teachers will continue to receive their existing allowances.
• Teachers who enter teaching on or after December 5^th, 2011 will be subject to a cap on allowances equivalent to the Honours Degree Allowance (currently €4,426).
• Existing teachers who receive/ have received additional qualifications, such as a Masters, on or after December 5, 2011 will not receive additional allowances.
• With regard to teachers who recently completed courses and received results before December 5^th, these teachers will be entitled to receive allowances in respect of those qualifications (so long as the college they attended can certify that the teacher held the qualification before December 5^th).
• With regard to teachers who were undertaking courses before December 5th, 2011 (for example, teachers engaged in courses during the 2011/2012 academic year), the Department of Education and Skills has not made a final decision in relation to these teachers. Department Circular 70/2011 states: “The position of teachers who, on December 5^th 2011, were undertaking courses will be considered in the context of the public service-wide review of allowances announced in Budget 2012”.
• Retired teachers who return to teaching on or after December 5^th 2011 will be subject to a cap on allowances equivalent to the Honours Degree Allowance (currently €4,426).

 

The ASTI is engaged in discussions with the INTO and TUI about a joint union response to the Circular.

For more on Budget 2012 click here.