89. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Education and Youth the process in which her Department distinguishes between experience gained in public schools and private international schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46136/26]

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.

Teaching service given outside the Republic of Ireland by a qualified teacher in a school or college must be deemed to be equivalent to teaching service given in a primary or post primary school in the Republic of Ireland.

In particular, when assessing service in private international schools, issues such as if the school offers a range of studies which incorporates all of the courses prescribed on the national curriculum of the State in which the school is located, the length of time the school has been in existence and the nature of the funding received by the school are of particular relevance. Part of the incremental credit application form requires the prior employer to certify if their school is publicly or privately funded.

Where a school satisfies the criteria set out in the circulars to have service at that school recognised for incremental credit, an award of incremental credit can be made.