Unions criticise suspension of allowances

Two teacher unions last night strongly criticised a Government decision to suspend the payment of allowances to new teachers …

Two teacher unions last night strongly criticised a Government decision to suspend the payment of allowances to new teachers from today.

The Department of Education suspended all of the allowance payments pending a review across the public sector. The department said yesterday nothing in addition to the common basic pay scale would be paid to new entrants. Such additional allowances include payments for honours degrees.

The Asti said the announcement was made without consultation with teacher unions. The Teachers’ Union of Ireland called for the reversal of the decision.