While many rank-and-file teachers were disappointed with the general pay increase, the benchmarking report recommends enhanced pay rates for grades such as principals, deputy principals, assistant principals and special duties teachers.
The 13 per cent rise applies to the teacher's "common basic scale", the long incremental scale of pay which governs all teacher salaries. If the full 13 per cent was paid, the new scale would begin at €25,095 and end at €48,776.
The ASTI, the secondary teachers' union, said there were two points missing from the scale in the report. The benchmarking body has informed the Department of Finance that a correction will be needed to this section.
Many teachers expressed dissatisfaction yesterday that their pay scale was not reduced during benchmarking. The three unions have complained over the years that it takes teachers too long to get to the top of their scale.
The benchmarking body considered altering it, but it was considered too expensive and the Department of Education opposed. While this will make selling the package more difficult, the gains for principals will be well received by their representative organisations.
Primary principals in schools with between 1 and 22 teachers are set to get a 13 per cent rise in their allowance, while those in schools with between 23 and 30 teachers will get a 14 per cent rise. The same level of increases will also apply to deputy principals. The allowance for assistant principals will rise by 13 per cent.
At second level, principals are set to get more.