IPPN

2 April - SNA Frontloading Model

Published: 03 April 2020

IPPN welcomes the announcement from Minister for Education & Skills Joe McHugh that the planned new allocation model for Special Needs Assistants has been deferred for one year. IPPN held a conference call meeting with the DES last week and highlighted members’ concerns regarding the proposed implementation of the new SNA Frontloading Model given the impact of emergency closures on schools. The Minister and the DES has responded positively to our concerns and confirmed that the SNA Frontloading Model will be postponed for the 2020/2021 school year. The Minister also confirmed:

New Short-Term Redeployment of SNAs

Published: 01 April 2020

The DES has announced a new short-term redeployment initiative for all SNAs to be available to work in some essential public services as part of the Government’s response to Covid-19 (DES Circular 27/2020).

What is the Process?

The Board of Management is required to forward a questionnaire to all SNAs by Friday 3 April. SNAs will be required to complete the online questionnaire by Friday 7 April and details will be uploaded for the temporary assignment process. It is the responsibility of the Board that all SNAs complete the questionnaire
The Public Appointments Service and HSE will match an SNAs skill set with requirements before making contact with details of the reassignment role and location of work. This will be completed following Board notification.

Staffing Circular Update

Published: 30 March 2020

The DES has extended the date for returning the following forms (DES Circular 18/2020) from Friday 27 March to Friday 3 April:

Notify relevant Panel Operator of any permanent or fixed term vacancy
Return Main Redeployment Panel Application Form (Appendix E) for surplus permanent/CID holding teachers to the Department’s Primary Teacher Allocations Section
Return “CID Declaration Form20” (Appendix G) in respect of all teachers awarded a CID in or before the 2019/20 school year and a Main Panel Application Form, if applicable, to the Department’s Primary Teacher Allocations Section

School Meals Programme

Published: 30 March 2020

The DES has issued an updated guidance note including FAQs on what schools should and need to do to make sure pupils have continued access to school meals during school closures including the Easter holiday period. It is considered an ‘essential service’. To facilitate this HSCL and SCP staff have been contacted by TESS and asked to liaise with school principals where they currently work to maintain this service. It is considered to be travelling for work purposes. Volunteers assisting with the School Meals Programme are also covered.