What is the purpose of Circular 0069/2024?
The purpose of the Circular is to notify teachers, principals and school management authorities of the eligibility criteria for the scheme and to outline the application process.
What is the background that has led to the issuing of DE Circular 0069/2024?
On Budget day in October 2023, the Minister for Education announced a Professional Masters in Education (PME) incentive scheme. As a teacher supply measure, the aim is to encourage teachers who completed a Professional Master’s in Education (PME) in Ireland in 2024 to take up employment in Irish schools.
Who can apply for this Teacher Fee Refund scheme payment?
Newly Qualified Teachers who completed a Professional Masters of Education (PME) during the 2024 calendar year can apply for this payment, subject to meeting the qualifying criteria.
What are the qualifying criteria for this payment?
To qualify for the payment teachers must –
- Have completed a Professional Masters of Education (PME) during the 2024 calendar year;
- Be registered with Teaching Council -Route 1 (Primary) or Route 2 (Post-Primary);
- Work as a teacher either full-time or part-time for a specified number of days.
How many days must a teacher work during the school year?
Applicants must work as teachers, either full-time or part-time, for at least 60% of the current school year. For teachers working at primary level this equates to 109 school days.
Must the 109 school days be consecutive school days?
No. The 109 days do not need to be consecutive school days.
What Professional Masters of Education (PME) courses qualify?
Course completed must lead to a post-graduate masters qualification. These courses must be accredited by the Teaching Council for the purposes of registration in accordance with the Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education. Post-graduate courses completed outside the Republic of Ireland and which lead to registration with the Teaching Council do not qualify for this payment.
Does a teacher who completed a PME programme in the 2023 calendar year or in previous years qualify for the payment?
No. The scheme is open to teachers who completed a Professional Masters of Education (PME) programme during the 2024 calendar year only.
How much of a payment will a teacher receive?
The payment for the fee refund scheme is €2000. This amount will be subject to the usual statutory deductions including tax, PRSI, USC. The net amount received will depend on a teacher’s individual tax liabilities.
If successful in an application, when will the payment be received?
It is expected that payment will be made after the completion of the 2024/25 school year. The INTO will engage regularly with the DE to ensure a timely and prompt payment.
Is the payment pensionable?
No. The payment is not reckonable for pension purposes. Therefore, no pension deductions will be made.
When will the applications process be opened?
It is indicated in the Circular that a process will open for receipt of applications in January 2025.
Is there a closing date for receipt of applications?
Yes. The closing date for receipt of applications is 31 July 2025.
Can an application be made now?
No. The application process will open in January 2025. Further details of the process will be provided at that stage. Members should monitor our communications channels early in the new year for updates.
Following review of the Circular and these FAQs, if a teacher believes that they have an entitlement to this payment, what should they do?
They should make the application when the application process opens in January 2025.
If a teacher makes an application and it is refused, can this be appealed?
Yes. There will be an appeals process. Information in relation to the appeals process will be provided when the application process opens.
Where can a teacher get further information about the Teacher Fee Refund scheme?
Teachers can email PME_refundscheme@education.gov.ie
