The positions involved are:

• Special Duties Posts which are worth an extra €3,870 a year;
• Assistant principal posts which are worth €8,749 a year;
• Deputy Principal where the allowance depends on the size of the school - a school with up to three teachers attracts an extra €3,870, while a very large school with more than 61 teachers attracts an extra €27,950 for the deputy principal.

The new deal, worked out under facilitator Tom Pomphrett, proposes that from September 2009 promotion to all posts, except principal, will be awarded on the basis of up to 20 per cent for each of the following criteria:

• Length of Service (weighted);
• Knowledge, understanding and capacity to meet the needs of the school;
• Capacity to contribute to the overall development of the school;
• Interpersonal and communication skills;
• Capacity to contribute to the organisation and management of the school.

For some years now, principals have lamented the absence of a properly structured middle management to assist in the running of schools and to provide a training ground for future principals. The unions had signed up to resolving this long-running issue as part of the last national pay agreement. (Source: Irish Independent)