1336. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth the numbers of teachers currently in receipt of the special education diploma allowance, broken down by education sector and by county, in tabular form; the estimated number of current teachers who hold the same special education diploma qualification but are not eligible for the allowance due to completing the qualification since 2012, broken down by education sector and county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57761/26]

Following a Government Decision in September 2012, my Department implemented the outcome of the review of allowances and premium payments by the then Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. As a result, many allowances were no longer payable to many new public service entrants including “new entrant” teachers. Among the allowances that had sanction for payment to new beneficiaries removed was the Diploma in Special Education allowance.

The Payroll division of my department provides a payroll service to over 3,700 schools. At the end of April 2026 there were 688 primary school teachers in receipt of the Diploma in Special Education Allowance. This breakdown of information by county is not readily available. The department does not hold record on teachers who are current teaching and holding the special education teacher diploma qualification but are not in receipt of the special education diploma allowance.

The Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026, contains a local bargaining provision which under which employers and trade unions/associations may negotiate additional changes in rates of pay and/or conditions of employment.

In this regard, the Department has engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and the relevant Unions in the Education Sector to finalise the bargaining units for the Education Sector and the quantum of funding available for each such unit. It is for each employer representatives/trade union to determine, through the local bargaining process, which issues they wish to prioritise and advance within the funding available.

Additional amendments to teacher Terms and Conditions, including pay and allowances, can only be achieved through engagement and collective bargaining agreements between the Government and the Public Service unions.