1405. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department have plans to fully recognise relevant international teaching experience to ensure returning teachers are placed on an appropriate pay scale step; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58823/26]

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.

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.

There is no contractual entitlement to incremental credit; applicants must submit a fully completed incremental credit application to have prior service assessed. An award of incremental credit is based on the incremental credit application submit to either my department or an ETB.

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.