Principals of second-level schools have welcomed the increases in allowances awarded to them under the benchmarking process. The increases, which range from 13 per cent to 17.6 per cent, have long been demanded by the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals. The allowances are paid in addition to a principal's basic teacher's salary.
Mr Seán Ashe, principal of Maynooth post-primary school, said that the increases were a recognition of the workload now confronting principals.
He said new legislation covering school planning and education welfare issues were now the direct responsibility of principals. The increases are biggest for those in large schools. For example, a principal of a school with between 41 and 61 teachers will now earn an allowance of between €31,668 and €34,414 plus the basic salary.
Deputy principals have also done well, with those in larger schools getting a 17.6 per cent increase. Special duties teachers are getting a 13 per cent rise in their allowance, in line with that awarded to similar post-holders at primary level.