IPPN

Published: 08 January 2009

DES Circular 115/2008 deals with the changes to substitute cover for uncertified sick leave with effect from 1st January 2009 to June 30th 2009, pending a further review.

With effect from the 1st January, 2009, the general rule will be that substitute cover will not be provided for the first day of an absence of a teacher on uncertified sick leave in a school.

There will be two exceptions to this general rule. The first will be that substitute cover will be provided for the first day of an absence of a teacher on uncertified sick leave in schools with two or less classroom teachers.
The second will be that in the event that two or more teachers in a school are absent from teaching duty on the first day of uncertified sick leave, substitute cover will be provided for the second and subsequent teachers that are absent.

The existing arrangements for substitute cover for other absences of teachers from teaching duty will continue to apply.

IPPN has consulted with DES officials regarding Special Schools. We have been informed that arrangements for Special Schools are no different to those for mainstream schools as outlined above.
The OLCS system for substitution claims relating to recognised uncertified leave is to be used in the same way as before.

Employment of Teachers' Verification Process

IPPN wishes to reiterate the advice of the Department of Education & Science regarding the checks, which must be carried out by school authorities when making all appointments to posts in school.

Regardless of how you source u find a substitute teacher (or indeed any staff member), prior to their commencing work you should request that they provide you with

1. Full name, permanent address

2. PPS number

3. A photocopy of relevant teaching qualifications

4. Photo ID - a valid passport or driving licence

5. The Principal's name and contact telephone numbers where recently employed

It is reasonable to ask a substitute teacher for details of recent employment so that an oral reference can be sought from those schools.
Circular 94/2006 sets out details of arrangements for the general vetting of teaching and non teaching staff and is available on www.ippn.ie.

Is sinne le meas

Seán Cottrell & Larry Fleming