1267. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Shane Moynihan den Aire Oideachais agus Óige an ndearnadh aon mheasúnú ar an tionchar atá ag costais bhreise taistil ar mhúinteoirí atá ag obair i scoileanna ar oileáin Ghaeltachta, agus an bhfuil aon bhearta á mbreithniú chun tacú leo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [61545/26]

The outgoing pay agreement, Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026, contained a local bargaining provision 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 had extensive and constructive engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and the relevant trade union representatives.

The INTO, representing the primary education sector, elected to use its funding under the 1% local bargaining tranche to introduce a serious of allowance, which have been agreed with the Department. These measures are specifically targeted at addressing identified areas of challenge in recruitment and retention and are outlined in Circular 54 of 2026 and include an allowance for primary teachers working on off-shore islands.

In assessing these claims, a range of factors were taken into account, including the available funding for the primary sector's bargaining unit, existing Government policy and public service pay frameworks.

Additional amendments to teacher Terms and Conditions, including amendments to allowances, 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, NDP Delivery and Reform and the relevant unions.