Newly Qualified Cork Teachers Eligible for €2,000 refund under the Professional Master in Education (PME) Refund Scheme

Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea has welcomed that newly qualified Cork teachers, who have completed a €2,000 Professional Masters in Education (PME), are eligible for a €2,000 bursary. 

“My colleague, the Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee TD, has announced the Professional Master in Education (PME) Refund Scheme, which will see newly qualified teachers receive a €2,000 payment in recognition of the additional costs that they have undertaken in completing the Masters.

Deputy O’Shea added “This payment is to encourage more students to become teachers and have a teaching career, this will reduce some of the financial stress to students as they begin their  journey in the teaching career. This will also help to support our schools in their recruitment of teachers.” 

The scheme will be available for the 2024/25 school year. 

Newly qualified teachers 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. 

Deputy O’Shea, continued “This is one of many steps taken by the Department of Education to increase the number of teachers, at both primary and post-primary levels. It highlights the Government’s commitment to ensuring our education system supports all children and young people to reach 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