Brief Absences

The following refers to the text of Circular 32/07 (Brief Absences)

See also the following circulars:

• 0115/2008: Substitute cover for registered teachers employed in primary schools: Amendments to existing arrangements
• 0099/2008: Sick Leave Scheme for Registered Teachers in Primary and Post Primary Schools

With effect from 16 April, 2007 all teacher absences which were previously recorded on the quarterly return and the substitute claim form will be submitted on-line by the schools involved in Phase 1 of the roll-out of OLCS. Pending the introduction of OLCS to all other primary schools, all leave absences must be entered chronologically on the new substitute claim form which will be issued to all schools, even if the absence is not substitutable. It is important to note that absences should not be recorded on the quarterly return after 16 April, 2007.

General

The term 'brief absences' is used to describe short-term occasional absences sanctioned for teachers during the school year. These include compassionate leave in respect of illness and bereavement, leave for specified special family occasions and other specified provisions.

The prior approval of the chairperson of the board of management must be granted for all brief absences.

The Substitute Teacher Salary Claim Form should be completed by the chairperson of the board or the school principal unless the substitute teacher was appointed as a consequence of the absence of the principal, in which case the chairperson must sign the form.

Teachers are not allowed to absent themselves from school for the purpose of transacting private or personal business such as consultation with a solicitor or bank manager, signing of contracts, attending for interviews etc.

Absence for part of a school day constitutes an absence for a full school day. Any absence without reasonable cause and the approval of the board of management will involve loss of salary.

Teachers who require absences in excess of the provisions must obtain the prior approval of the board of management and the Department of Education and Skills and such absences are unpaid. Where unpaid leave is sanctioned the board of management may employ a temporary teacher paid by the Department.

The Department will meet the cost of supplying a substitute teacher replacing principal teachers in one teacher schools who are absent for any reason as set out in the following table and with the permission of the board of management. Substitute cover will also be provided for principals in one teacher schools in respect of course days.

Please refer to  Circular 32/07 for a comprehensive listing of absences and cover provided.

1.1. Illness of a family member:

(a) This leave is granted for urgent family reasons where owing to a serious injury or the immediate presence of a teacher is indispensably required at the place where the family member is – this leave also includes accompanying a member of ones immediate family or near relative to hospital where alternative domestic arrangements cannot be made.

A substitute teacher may be employed for the school days during the absence as specified in 1.1(c) below.

(b) For the purposes of this sub-section, family relationships are defined as follows:

• Immediate family - spouse (spouse also includes a person with whom the teacher is living as husband or wife) father, mother, step-father, step-mother, son, daughter, step-son and step-daughter.
• Near relative - brother, sister, grandparent, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, grandchild.
• Three days leave of absence is also available to teachers who are members of religious communities in respect of the serious illness of a member of the teacher's immediate community.

(c) The maximum, period of absence that shall be granted is:

• 5 school days in a school year in the case of a member of the immediate family
• 3 school days in a school year in the case of a near relative and to teachers who are members of religious communities

These maximum periods of leave include a teacher's statutory entitlement under "Force Majeure" leave.

2.1  Bereavement involving a family member:

(a)  Special Leave with pay is allowed to a teacher in the event of bereavement.
For the purposes of this sub-section, family relationships are defined as follows:

• Immediate family - spouse (spouse also includes a person with whom the teacher is living as husband or wife) father, mother, step-father, step-mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, step-son and step-daughter.
• Near relative - grandparent, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, grandchild, first cousin.
• Inlaw - father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother in law, sister in law and son or daughter in-law.
• Three days leave of absence is also available to teachers who are members of religious communities in respect of the death of a member of the teacher's immediate community.
  

(b)   The maximum period of absence that shall be granted is: 

• 5 consecutive in the case of a member of the immediate family
• Absence for the minimum period necessary to attend the funeral subject  to a maximum of 3 consecutive days in the case of a near relative or in-law

If the death occurs in the evening (after school hours) five or three consecutive days are allowed, as appropriate, starting from the following day;

If the death occurs at the weekend (Saturday/Sunday) five or three consecutive days are allowed, starting from the following day; 

(c)   In the case of immediate family, a substitute teacher may be employed for up to five days. In the case of near relative, in-law or members of Religious Communities a substitute teacher may be employed for the minimum period necessary to attend the funeral subject to a maximum of three days, except in the case of the death of a first cousin where a substitute teacher may only be employed for one school day.

The absence should be recorded as "Bereavement Leave".

Wedding/Marriage Leave

Teachers’ own wedding – this applies only when the wedding takes place on a day when the school is due to be open – allowed 7 consecutive days from the date of marriage. These days  include weekends and any school  closure e.g. bank holiday, vacation days etc.