11th April 2024
The Department of Education has issued Circular 0033/2024, which outlines the application of a 2.25% or €1,125 (whichever is greater) increase to the salaries of all teachers. This pay increase is backdated to 1 January 2024. The increase will be applied to all salary scale points, allowances, part-time hourly rates and daily substitution rates of pay.
The INTO has been engaging and continues to engage with the Department of Education seeking timely payment of the increase including arrears for teachers. As soon as the date is confirmed, we will publicise any update through our communication channels.
Under the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026 a further increase of 1% is to be applied to public service salaries from 1 June 2024, with five more pay uplifts to come between then and 1 June 2026.
General Secretary John Boyle said:
Our hard-pressed members will welcome the arrival of these arrears and look forward to further salary increases later in the year. Together with the seven general round salary increases within the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026, a local bargaining fund of €100 million is available to the primary education sector.
The INTO will be consulting with members on the possible use of this fund at branch meetings next month. I encourage all members to engage in these consultations, which will influence claims being lodged for our sector in Summer 2024.
Update: 17 April 2024
The DE has confirmed that this increase will be reflected in salaries on 9 May. A further increase of 1% is to be applied to public service salaries from 1 June 2024, with five more pay uplifts to come between then and 1 June 2026.
Separately, the DE has confirmed that teachers receiving their personal substitute rate in the current school year are due an arrears payment and this will be paid on 25 April. This arises due to the introduction of the additional public holiday (St Brigid’s Day) which reduced the school year from 183 to 182 days.
However, the substitute daily rate of pay has continued to be calculated with reference to a 183-day school year. The result is a small underpayment for each hour/day worked since September 2023. The amount of arrears due to any individual teacher will depend on how many hours/days’ substitute work they have completed since September.
This payment of arrears is not connected to the new public sector pay deal. To avoid any confusion with the salary increases due under the public sector pay deal, the DE issued an informational email to schools last Wednesday to explain the reason for the 25 April arrears payments.