IPPN

Published: 04 November 2021

In the latest Information Note issued by the DE, measures to increase the availability of substitutes for primary schools for 2021/2022 are outlined. These include:

Supply Panels - 100 additional teachers are being added to existing/new areas where significant challenges have been demonstrated in sourcing substitution. Where possible new bookings for the Supply Panels should be limited to absences occurring within a maximum of two weeks in advance.

Teaching Principal Release Days: Schools work together to combine their allocation of principal release days into clusters so as to form a full-time fixed-term post to cover each school’s principal release days for the 2021/22 school year.

Job Sharing teachers: Substitution restrictions for job-sharing teachers have been temporarily suspended which allows these teachers to work additional days if available to cover vacancies in their own and other schools.

Career Break: Teachers on career break can carry out substitute work without restriction.

Student Teachers: Colleges have been requested to be flexible with student teachers to facilitate their availability for substitution work.

Note: Non PME Student Teachers may not be paid for more than 5 consecutive school days’ employment at any one time. It is advisable that a school seek confirmation of the student teacher’s last working day to ensure payment by the Department of Education. A condition of employment is that the non PME student teacher’s contract will terminate if the school is in a position to employ a registered teacher.

Documentation Required by School:
Student substitute teachers may be required to provide the necessary evidence for verification and suitability checking, including:

• Vetting Disclosure (Circular 31/2016)
• Statutory Declaration Form & signed Form of Undertaking (Circular 31/2016)
• Garda Vetting (Non PME Student Teachers - To be completed by school)
• PME Students (Teaching Council Registration if applicable)
• Photo identification e.g. driving licence or passport
• PPS Number
• Contact details of relevant recent employers for independent reference checking.