Teachers are set to gain a pay increase of between 10 and 15 per cent from the benchmarking pay review body, write Emmet Oliver and Sean Flynn, Education Staff
The report, which will be given to the Minister for Finance on Monday week, will award teachers about 12 per cent, or marginally more, in an effort to bring their pay up to levels enjoyed by comparable private sector groups.
The rise will be available to more than 30,000 members of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) and the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI). The report may also suggest that the teachers' pay scale be shortened.
One political source said: "It is clear teachers will get over 10 per cent but no more than 15 per cent. The research on the teaching profession speaks for itself. It makes a strong case."
The benchmarking body, chaired by Mr Justice Quirke, is now finalising its report, but has still to settle on a final figure.
The Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) - which has been seeking a pay increase of 30 per cent for the past two years - did not take part in benchmarking.
The union warned that the process, in which public service pay is benchmarked against conditions in the private sector, would lead to the "industrialisation" of teaching and herald the introduction of UK-style performance evaluation.
It is understood that the recommendation of about 12 per cent for teachers is made with few strings attached. A political source said yesterday: "The benchmarking report looked at the current position of teachers, it does not make outrageous new productivity demands".
Sources have confirmed an Irish Times report in April which said the award for teachers would be between 10 and 15 per cent.
The benchmarking body believes its recommended pay increase should be fully pensionable. Some in the ASTI had suggested that benchmarking could threaten public service pensions.
For several months teachers have been speculating about the outcome of the benchmarking report. Last year, Senator Joe O'Toole, the former general secretary of the INTO, likened benchmarking to an ATM which would generously deliver for teachers.
The recommended increase is some way short of the 30 per cent demanded by the ASTI but the Government is likely to stress that teachers have also received over 22 per cent from the current national pay deal, the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness (PPF).
Although the recommendation falls short of the ASTI's demands, it will increase the pressure on the public finances. The Government has already agreed to backdate 25 per cent of any award to December last. The timetable for payment of the balance will be subject to negotiation with the public service unions of ICTU.
It is estimated that a 1 per cent increase in the public service pay bill would cost the Exchequer over €110 million.
The benchmarking body will make recommendations in relation to almost 300,000 public servants. Other public service unions have warned that any increase for teachers must be available to them.
Mr Peter McLoone, general secretary of IMPACT, warned at his union's annual conference last month that the Government must do no special favours for "high-profile, vocal groups".
Established two years ago as part of the PPF, the benchmarking body is chaired by Mr Justice Quirke.
Its other members include Mr Billy Atlee, the former general secretary of SIPTU; Mr Phil Flynn, former ICTU president; Mr Paddy Mullarkey, former secretary general of the Department of Finance; Mr John Dunne, former director general of IBEC and Ms Maureen Lynott, a management consultant.
Earlier this year, another member, the economist Mr Jim O'Leary, resigned from the body.