Weir comments on Teacher Pay negotiations

Date published: 12 October 2016

He said: “Teachers are essential to the Northern Ireland education system and of course I greatly value the hard work they do. However it is no secret that public expenditure is extremely tight, including in the education sector.

“Management side brought forward a package that was realistic and still allows teaching staff to progress along the pay scale, in addition to a cost of living increase. That offer was rejected outright by the unions as were, I understand, earlier and higher offers. Given the speed by which the teaching union’s statements have issued, I assume they had predetermined their response prior to the negotiations concluding. That is very disappointing.

“My priority is pupils. Today’s young people are Northern Ireland’s future generations and it is therefore appropriate that I focus my efforts there.”

In conclusion the Minister said: “I wait to receive the business case from Management Side. I will then give further consideration to the overall 2016-17 Education Budget position before I make any funding decisions.”