99. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Education and Youth when attaching an additional payment specifically to teachers in DEIS schools, the way in which her Department ensures this policy does not contribute to the labelling or stigmatisation of children attending DEIS schools. [46339/26]

100. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Education and Youth the basis on which it was decided that teachers, but not SNAs or other frontline staff, should receive the allowance for teachers in DEIS schools. [46340/26]

101. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which the policy of attaching an additional payment is considered equitable when all school staff work collaboratively to support children with additional and complex needs. [46341/26]

102. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department assessed the impact the decision to attach an additional payment for teachers in DEIS school may have on staff morale and inclusivity within schools. [46342/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 99, 100, 101 and 102 together.

Under the Public Service Agreement 2024–2026 (PSA), which has been approved by Government and applies to all public servants, pay increases totalling 9.25% are provided for up to June 2026. These terms were collectively agreed with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

The PSA also contains a local bargaining provision under which employers and trade unions/associations may negotiate additional changes in rates of pay and/or conditions of employment. The PSA concludes on 30 June 2026.

As teachers are represented by a number of trade unions, it is for each representative organisation to negotiate on behalf of their members.

The INTO, representing the primary education sector, has opted to use their Local Bargaining Fund to settle a number of claims one of which is the Allowance for Primary Teachers working in DEIS Band One and DEIS plus Schools. This allowance will be paid to Teachers employed in recognised DEIS Schools, who satisfy the eligibility criteria as outlined in Department of Education and Youth circular 55/2026.

Negotiations for the 1% fund with Fórsa Trade Union representing SNAs is ongoing with the Department.

The DEIS strategy to 2035 focuses on fairness and inclusion, embedding these principles in every aspect of school policy, practice and support. It sets out a more flexible model of support, so that resources are aligned with each school’s level of need as it changes over time. The new DEIS Plus scheme, which will commence this year, launched as part of the strategy, represents the most significant expansion of targeted supports since the establishment of DEIS.

Additional amendments to teacher and SNA Terms and Conditions, including pay, can only be achieved through engagement and collective bargaining agreements between the Government and the Public Service unions. Such changes can occur only under those processes, and any such proposals would need to be considered in detail by the Department, the Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and the relevant unions.