Masters Allowances Clarification!

evolving_doors

Ok just doing my sums again and went to the ASTI website..it's changed so I think there might be an anomoly. Hope anyone can help me out.

The new page states that
PRE 2011 masters = €5496
Post 2011 masters = €4966

Link here.... http://www.asti.ie/pay-and-conditions/pay/allowances/
(can't do link thing with phone app, sorry)

Now, here's the problem I thought that it was based on when you started the masters. I commenced before the allowance was changed (2009 unless I'm wrong!). But I had to take a year out so didn't officially qualify untill 2012.

Am I looking at the wrong page for this anomoly? I remember the thread here (started by me yonks ago) and the upshot was that the dept. made allowances for such people after much deliberating. Reasonable expectations and all that.

Powerhouse

Any allowance will relate to the date on which the qualification is completed i.e. graduation. I think what might be giving rise to confusion for you is the fact that a specific derogation was given to those who had commenced Master's courses at the time the allowances were discontinued (5 December 2011 if memory serves), and who would have had an expectation of receiving them at the outset of the course. But it can be taken as read that anyone who completes their course post-2011 will be getting the post 2011 allowance.

Powerhouse

Incidentally, while on this topic does anyone know if there is a specific form for claiming such an allowance or where it might be sourced?

thefasteriwalk

Post 2011 masters? I thought the allowance was completely scrapped? I started and completed a MA after 2011. Am I due that allowance?

endacl

http://www.education.ie/en/Education-Staff/Services/Payroll-Financial/Qualification-Allowance/Post-Primary-Teachers/Post-Primary-Teachers-Qualification-Allowances.html

Circular 0008/2013 was published on foot of the outcome of a public service wide review of allowances by the Government. Sanction to pay certain allowances to new beneficiaries has been withdrawn with effect from 1 February 2012.

The following outlines the current position with regard to qualification allowances payable to teachers.
Eligibility for Qualification Allowances

Qualification Allowances at Post Primary level
1. In the case of persons first employed in a qualified (and for appointments after September 2010, registered) capacity in a teaching position in an Oireachtas funded post on or before 4 December 2011 qualification allowances are payable in respect of qualifications acquired on or before 4 December 2011. No allowances are payable should the individual acquire a further qualification regardless of the purpose of the qualification or the date of commencement of the course of study.
The sole exception to this general position arises where as at 5 December 2011, a teacher in employment on that date and eligible for receipt of a qualification allowance in respect of the post they held on that date, was actively undertaking a course of further study leading to an additional qualification, provided that the teacher does not cease to be a registered student on that course before its completion. Such individuals may apply to the Department/ETB as appropriate for a derogation from the general position within 3 months of the date of receipt of the award.
Note: If you satisfy the conditions at 1. above the time limits for application are as follows:

• if you have obtained a qualification prior to the publication of Circular 0008/2013 (25 January 2013) you must apply before 30th April 2013
• where the award date is after the publication date of this Circular you must apply within three months from the date of award

Qualification Allowances for teachers employed at Post Primary level
2. Persons first employed in a teaching position in an Oireachtas funded post between 5 December 2011 and 31 January 2012 (inclusive) will be dealt with in accordance with the terms of the Government decision which imposed a cap on qualification allowances at a combined maximum value equivalent to that of an honours undergraduate degree. Where a teacher on first appointment is eligible for payment of an allowance below that equivalent to honours primary degree level he or she will, in common with existing teachers, not be paid any additional allowance should he or she acquire a further qualification.
3. Persons who are employed in a teaching position in an unqualified capacity and who become eligible for the qualified rate of pay on or after 1st February 2012 will be placed on the payscales as outlined at Appendix 1, paragraphs (1) and (2) from the date on which they were appropriately qualified and registered. No allowances will be payable regardless of qualified status in another sector. Incremental credit may be payable for qualified service in another sector i.e. primary/ secondary, community and comprehensive/ ETB.
The following allowances are available to post primary teachers subject to the terms of Circular 0008/2013 (Budget 2012 – Public Service-Wide Review of Allowances and Premium Payments Teachers)

• H.Dip in Education* allowance (pass or honours)
• Degree allowance (pass or honours)
• Masters allowance (pass or honours)
• PhD allowance.

*The PGCE qualification if recognised by the Teaching Council as a H.Dip in Education equivalent and will attract a H.Dip in Education allowance (pass or honours).

Powerhouse

thefasteriwalk wrote: »

Post 2011 masters? I thought the allowance was completely scrapped? I started and completed a MA after 2011. Am I due that allowance?

As I mentioned in my earlier post a specific derogation was given to those who had commenced Master's courses at the time the allowances were discontinued (5 December 2011 if memory serves), and who would have had an expectation of receiving them at the outset of the course.

This derogation was negotiated by the unions after the government initially chopped everything. If you were already in the process of doing your course in December 2011 then you might be due the allowance. There is, however, a three-month window after the date of graduation in which to claim such an allowance.

RealJohn

Powerhouse wrote: »

There is, however, a three-month window after the date of graduation in which to claim such an allowance.

Admittedly, in the current climate I imagine very few people will be slow to claim any allowances they're due but it's disgraceful that the government are doing their level best to prevent people from claiming allowances. There is no reason to have any finite window within which a claim must be made, other than to cheat people out of their hard earned money.

evolving_doors

Powerhouse wrote: »

As I mentioned in my earlier post a specific derogation was given to those who had commenced Master's courses at the time the allowances were discontinued (5 December 2011 if memory serves), and who would have had an expectation of receiving them at the outset of the course.

This derogation was negotiated by the unions after the government initially chopped everything. If you were already in the process of doing your course in December 2011 then you might be due the allowance. There is, however, a three-month window after the date of graduation in which to claim such an allowance.

Ok thanks for that, just wanted to double check (they should have put that derogation on the ASTI website but I suppose that 3 month cut off has negated the need to do it. It'd be like telling you that the good news is that youll get it, but the bad news is that you'll need a time machine to apply. )

This 3 month window rubbish is a bit of a sly one though. Anyhow, thanks folks..