Payday comes early for 20,000 teachers after date mix-up

More than 20,000 second-level teachers got paid a week early yesterday because of an error at the Department of Education.

The mistake saw just under €24m paid out six days before the next pay run for those involved, after a wrong date was included in a file instructing the department’s bank about electronic funds transfers.

It affected only post-primary teachers, including substitute teachers paid directly by the department — meaning those in almost 500 religious-owned secondary schools, community, and comprehensive schools. It did not benefit teachers at vocational schools or community colleges, as they are paid by education and training boards.