Sub Shortage & 22 October Re-opening
- Published: 14 October 2021
IPPN is engaged in ongoing advocacy work in relation to the provisions of Circular 50/2021, specifically the removal of the banked hours facility and the revised sequence for accessing substitute cover. It is the view of IPPN that the circular will have the impact of disadvantaging all children by limiting teaching time and compromising the leadership and management of all schools.
If you are experiencing difficulties securing substitute cover for the absence of either mainstream class or special education teachers, the DE has made a helpline available to Principals, details of which were included in the circular. The phone number is 057 9324461 and the helpline is open from 9am to 5.00pm daily. You can also use the email address that has been provided in the circular which is covid19_alert@education.gov.ie. It would be important that the DE is kept fully informed of the extent of the difficulties being experienced by school leaders in terms of securing substitute cover for teacher absences and IPPN will continue to provide that information.
IPPN has also urged the DE that any potential updated guidance to schools on the management of Covid after the mid-term break, arising from the easing of restrictions in wider society from 22 October, would issue to schools before the end of this week. This would afford schools sufficient time to take account of any such updated guidance and plan for its implementation.
