Minister McEntee launches Professional Master of Education (PME) Refund Scheme
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From: Department of Education
- Published on: 6 February 2025
- Last updated on: 6 February 2025
Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee has today announced a new initiative that will give eligible newly-qualified teachers (NQTs) a €2,000 payment in recognition of the additional costs that they have undertaken in completing a Professional Master of Education (PME). This payment is to encourage more people to become teachers, and to support schools in their recruitment of teachers.
The scheme will be available for the 2024/25 school year.
Newly-qualified teachers (NQTs) who completed their PME in 2024 and have taught for a minimum period during the school year can apply for the payment. The scheme will be reviewed to monitor its effectiveness and to inform the development of other initiatives.
Minister McEntee said:
"As Minister for Education and Youth, key priorities of mine include ensuring teaching is an attractive career and taking innovative steps to help all children and young people reach their potential. This scheme is a positive step for newly-qualified teachers who completed their PME in 2024, as it helps reduce some of the financial burden as they begin their careers.
“It is one of several steps my department has taken to increase the number of teachers, both at primary and post-primary levels. It highlights the government’s commitment to making sure our education system supports all children and young people in reaching their full potential.”
The Department of Education has published guidance on the scheme, including who is eligible and how to apply. You can find the details here: gov.ie - PME Fee Refund Scheme.
Notes
Background
The objective of the PME Fee Refund Scheme is to encourage newly-qualified teachers (NQTs) who are registered with the Teaching Council and have completed a PME in 2024 to take up teaching roles, and who provide minimum level of service, to help address the supply of teachers to schools. This payment is in recognition of the additional costs incurred by NQTs that have undertaken a PME.
PME fee refund scheme details
A payment of €2,000, subject to statutory deductions as appropriate, will be made through the teacher payroll to each applicant who satisfies the eligibility criteria set out below.
Applicants must be newly-qualified teachers that have successfully completed a PME programme in the 2024 calendar year only and be registered with the Teaching Council under Route 1 or Route 2.
A PME programme is defined as a post-graduate qualification in teacher education accredited by the Teaching Council for the purposes of registration under Route 1 (primary) or Route 2 (post-primary), in accordance with Céím: Standards for Initial Teacher Education.
Applicants must have completed the following minimum service in approved teaching posts in recognised primary or post primary schools during the 2024/25 school year either a minimum of 109 days in a primary school(s), or a minimum of 100 days, or 440 hours in a post-primary school(s).