Teachers underpaid by up to 20% over payroll glitch
Last year, reductions were made to the daily rate paid to newly qualified teachers for substitution work at primary and secondary schools.
However, the estimated 800 newly qualified teachers who have been working at primary and secondary schools since then have not been paid this reduced rate — and are instead receiving the rate set for unqualified teachers.
Rather than being paid €159 a day, they are being paid €127.
Anthony McSweeney, a 32-year-old teacher from Ballinora in Co Cork, said he and his colleagues were “so frustrated” as they cannot get answers from the Department of Education about when this anomaly will be fixed.
Mr McSweeney has found regular substitution work in schools around Cork since last October.
“We’re all finding the same thing. We can’t get though to the payroll department or else we’re being fobbed off with one or another excuse.
“I’ve even been told the problem is down to new software. It’s amazing that it’s going on for so long.”
Mr McSweeney estimates he is owed at least €1,000 in back pay.
“The payroll at the department is notorious for causing trouble, according to other teachers, but it’s just that every little helps at the moment. It is just so frustrating.”
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) has said it has had a number of meetings with the department on this issue.
However, it looks like Mr McSweeney and his newly qualified colleagues could be waiting for another month or two before their back pay will be lodged to their bank accounts.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said “changes were made to the newly-qualified teachers rate and the payroll system, which is one of the biggest in the public sector and particularly complex, has not yet caught up”.
“A circular setting out the how the new pay rates are to be implemented was issued by the department last week. The teachers will be paid but this is a huge logistical task and takes time to implement.
“We expect all arrears will be paid in the next month or two.”
A spokesman for the INTO said it would “monitor the situation closely to ensure the earliest possible resolution”.
