Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Garda Reserve
213. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify
whether the Garda Reserve allowance is taxable income or a travel allowance and if it is
included in assessment for third level grant applications. [7793/12]
Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn): The Deputy will appreciate that
the decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding
authority.
However, I am informed that payments made in respect of the Garda Reserve Allowance
are taxable and are therefore included in the assessment of income for student grant purposes.
The assessment of means under my Department’s Student Grants Scheme is based on gross
income from all sources.
Teachers’ Remuneration
214. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding
a qualification allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement
on the matter. [7809/12]
242. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if those who have
commenced programmes prior to the budget announcement that teachers will no longer receive
an allowance for a master’s qualification should benefit from a dispensation, whereby their
expectations in relation to a master’s allowance will be honoured; and if he will make a statement
on the matter. [8148/12]
Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn): I propose to take Questions Nos.
214 and 242 together.
Under Circular 70/2011 teachers who have been engaged in a public sector teaching post on
or before 4 December 2011 are eligible to retain the allowances they were entitled to be in
receipt of on that date. Existing teachers will not be paid any additional allowance where they
acquire any further qualification on or after 5 December 2011.
Circular 3/2012 issued on 31 January 2012 provides that, pending the outcome of a review
by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, allowances are not payable to new
beneficiaries; ie those who become eligible for receipt of the allowance in question on or after
1 February 2012. Examples of such allowances include any form of qualification allowance or
the supervision and substitution payment paid to teachers, and the secretary to the Board of
Management allowance paid to school principals. The only exceptions to this prohibition are
principal and deputy principal allowances.
I am not in a position to comment on the position of existing teachers who, on 5 December
2011, were undertaking courses until the outcome of the of the public service-wide review of
allowances is known.
Ministerial Appointments
215. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will list all appointments
to State boards and agencies made by him since he came to power; the persons
appointed; the boards and agencies to which they were appointed; the remuneration details of
each appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7820/12]
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