17th December 2021
The DE have issued a final closing date of 30 April 2022 for receipt of eligible qualification allowance applications as a result of the findings of the Adjudicator under a claim brought to the Teachers’ Conciliation Council by the Teacher Unions.
In 2012 a public service-wide review of allowances was carried out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. As a result of the review, qualification allowances were abolished with effect from 1 February 2012. Department of Education Circular 0008/2013 which issued on 25 January 2013 outlines the effect of this decision on teachers.
A number of teachers, who commenced employment prior to 5 December 2011, who did additional qualifications prior to that date, but had not claimed the allowance, applied for and received their allowance. However, a number of teachers missed the deadline for applying and a claim was made to have a new deadline established. Circular 0063/2021 which issued earlier this week outlines a revised closing date of 30 April 2022 for receipt of applications for outstanding qualification allowances.
Teachers who consider that they are entitled to a qualification allowance must make a claim for payment of the allowance before 30 April 2022 using the Application Form -Appendix 5 in the Circular available on Gov.ie. Generally these would be teachers who completed or were completing a qualification which attracted an allowance after their initial teacher education course, and before 5 December 2011. The = Circular and appendices set out the full details of who is eligible to apply and which qualifications attract an allowance.
Any queries regarding entitlement to a qualification allowance should be emailed to the Teacher/SNA Terms and Conditions Section of the Department at qualallowancesapplications@education.gov.ie. Teachers are requested to quote their PPSN and indicate their sector (primary or post primary) when sending queries
Any application for an additional allowance received after 30th April 2022 will not be processed under any circumstances. Members should take note that this is the final deadline for applications.
INTO will host a webinar for members who may have an entitlement to a qualification allowance in early February,