To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) the steps she is taking to ensure teachers’ pay is competitive with similar professional graduate roles in order that the necessary numbers of highly skilled teachers are able to be recruited and retained in the profession; and (ii) the conversations she has had with the Minister of Finance regarding funding for increasing teachers’ pay.

The Department of Education does not employ teachers and does not make decisions about teachers’ pay. In Northern Ireland, teachers’ pay is negotiated and agreed through the Teachers’ Negotiating Committee, which includes representatives from the employing authorities, sectoral bodies, DE and the five recognised teachers’ unions.

Teachers’ pay in Northern Ireland generally maintains parity with other UK countries. Unlike the rest of the UK, Northern Ireland has an over-supply of teachers and there is significant competition for every job that becomes available. Teachers’ pay awards amounting to 8.25%, in addition to incremental progression for eligible teachers, over the past four years have been particularly generous in light of NI Public Sector Pay Policy. With regard to other graduate professions, the attraction of teaching, in spite of the hard work involved, may be due to the comparatively good terms and conditions including working hours and holidays as well as wider benefits such as membership of a public sector pension scheme.

I have not had any conversations with the Finance Minister about funding for increasing teachers’ pay; the budgetary outcome for 2022-23 has not yet been announced. The first step in that process will be the announcement of the UK Spending Review outcome on 27 October 2021. Beyond that, I understand that the Finance Minister will engage with all Ministers prior to publishing a Draft Executive Budget for consultation as soon as possible thereafter.