§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) whether the £455,000 which was to be available for payments of social priority allowances for teachers in Northern Ireland is still available;
(2) when he hopes to implement the scheme of social priority allowances for teachers in Northern Ireland currently enjoyed in Great Britain.
§ Mr. MoyleAdditional allowances paid to teachers in social priority schools in Northern Ireland would have to count against the £6 per week limit on pay increases. The maximum pay award consistent with the pay policy limit has already been agreed for Northern Ireland teachers, and a sum of £455,000 cannot be made available over and above this. Discussions are proceeding with the appropriate trade unions with a view to resolving this problem. I am unable to say when a scheme for the payment of such allowances could be implemented.