The announcement that suspended teacher allowances will not be reversed has been met with criticism from teachers' unions that claim educators are facing a third annual pay cut.

A review of public sector allowances and premium payments by the government has led to the decision to retain a reduction in allowances for new teachers.

However, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation claims the cap on qualification allowances means educators have been hit harder by budget cutbacks than other public servants.

Sheila Nunan, the union's general secretary, said the move means the pay now being offered to new teachers does not reflect the academic standard of their expertise.

The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland's general secretary Pat King added: "What the government is doing is establishing a two-tiered teaching profession, a system which serves to demoralise and demotivate young teachers by giving them inferior terms and conditions."

According to Ms Nunan, under the pay reforms, new teachers stand to start on the fourth point of the salary scale. 

Written by Donal Walsh

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