26th August 2024
After consulting members about the local bargaining facility under the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026, the INTO Central Executive Committee has decided to seek costings for several potential claims. Once these costings are received, the INTO plans to submit claims aimed at enhancing the appeal of teaching and leadership roles in primary and special schools.
The union will seek costings from the Department of Education for the following claims.
Restructuring and augmentation of primary teachers’ salary scales to address the recruitment and retention crisis
- Claim for the removal of four points from the pay scales for primary teachers
- Claim for an allowance to be paid upon reaching the start of fifth year at top of primary teachers’ pay scales
- Incorporation of the equivalence of the Honours Degree allowance into the salary scales for all primary teachers
- Incorporation of the equivalence of the PME allowance into the salary scales for all primary teachers
- Claim for the settlement of historical losses to primary teachers who entered the profession in 2011 and 2012
Location Allowances
- Claim for the payment of the Island allowance for all primary teachers who teach on offshore islands
- Claim for the payment of the Gaeltacht allowance to all primary teachers who teach in primary schools participating in Scéim Aitheantais na Gaeltachta
- Claim for the payment of the Teaching through Irish allowance to all primary teachers who work in Gaelscoileanna
- Claim for the payment of an allowance to primary teachers working in Special Schools
- Claim for the payment of an allowance to primary teachers working in special classes
- Claim for the payment of an allowance to primary teachers working in DEIS Band One Primary Schools
Qualifications Allowances
Claims for payment of the following allowances will be made on behalf of teachers in primary and special schools who have earned the relevant qualifications but are not receiving the corresponding allowances:
- Allowance for the Diploma in Special Education
- Allowance for the Doctorate Degree
- Allowance for the Honours Master’s Degree
Valuing School Leadership
- Claim for the payment of the reinstatement of relevant allowances to principal teachers in primary and special schools who act as secretaries to their Boards of Management, but who do not hold the associated allowances
- Claim for new school leadership allowances to be paid to principal teachers of primary and special schools in recognition of leading and managing non-teaching staff who are paid directly by the Department of Education
- Claim for the reorganisation of categories of allowances for primary principals and deputy principals to reflect the bands applicable in the post-primary sector
At this early stage of the local bargaining process, INTO General Secretary John Boyle stated:
Our members have made it clear that addressing the recruitment and retention crisis in primary and special education must be a priority for the INTO in advancing claims. We are seeking costings for a range of proposals and will press the Department for detailed figures this Autumn before finalising our claims. Engagement between unions and the government will continue throughout the winter, with a final decision expected well before the first payment date of 1 September 2025. Meanwhile, the Government must take serious action on teacher supply, not just rely on local bargaining. Budget 2025 this October is the perfect chance to act. Ahead of the General Election, we expect politicians to explain how they will ensure fully qualified teachers for every child in primary and special schools—this is the least our children deserve.”