300. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is considering a change in policy that would allow work spent in a secondary school abroad, public or private, be recognised for incremental credits; if she will outline the detail of any proposed change; if it will be one-for-one or a partial credit for example; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52964/26]

The criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in the Department of Education’s Circulars 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers.  These circulars provide for the award of incremental credit in respect of prior teaching service, including overseas teaching service, both within and outside the EU and/or relevant non-teaching service.

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.  This includes teaching service given in a public or private secondary school abroad.

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.

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.

The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers were agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC) and are subject to review by way of an incremental credit committee, which is a sub-committee of the TCC and which meets on an ongoing basis.

Any changes to the criteria must be agreed through the established mechanism in place.