News Archive

Seachtain na Gaeilge
Friday, 5 March 10
5 - 17 Márta 2010

Public Services to Meet Monday
Friday, 5 March 10
The Public Services Committee of ICTU will meet on Monday to consider the current campaign against public service cuts.

Proposed Pensions Framework
Thursday, 4 March 10
The government has published a proposal for a national pensions framework.

New Circular on Staffing and Panel
Wednesday, 3 March 10
The DES has released Circular 0021/2010 Regulations Governing the Appointment and Retention of Teachers in Primary Schools for the School Year 2010/2011.

Mind, Body, Finances Workshops
Wednesday, 3 March 10
INTO Learning is offering workshops in March on looking after each of the following areas of your personal well being: your mental health, your physical health and your financial health.

INTO Meets Supply Panel Teachers
Thursday, 25 February 10
INTO representatives met with supply panel teachers and principals of their base schools at a meeting in Athlone yesterday.

Sheila Nunan Slams Government Policies
Wednesday, 24 February 10
Incoming General Secretary of the INTO and vice chair of the Public Services Committee of Congress, Sheila Nunan, said government policies had turned “boom to bust, surplus to deficit and for many, hope into despair” at a mass meeting of public servants in Galway last night.

NCSE Application Process for 2010/2011
Wednesday, 24 February 10
The NCSE has published Circular 01/2010 in relation to the application process for SEN support in the next school year.

High Levels of Satisfaction with the Teaching Profession
Wednesday, 24 February 10
Three in four parents consider teachers do their jobs well or very well.

Information From DES re ICT Grant and Expenditure Guidelines
Wednesday, 24 February 10
The DES have updated their FAQs in relation to primary schools.

VSO Information Seminar for Educators - Postponed
Monday, 22 February 10
Please note that this seminar has been postponed until 23rd March.

Section 24 Training Seminar - Places Available
Friday, 19 February 10
The Central Executive Committee of the INTO has decided to organise training on the disciplinary procedures agreed under Section 24 of the Education Act, 1998.

P60s For Teachers
Friday, 19 February 10
The DES enclosed the following notice in pay slips dated 18 February 2010:

DES Announcement on School Buildings
Tuesday, 16 February 10
The INTO has described today’s limited announcement on school buildings as proof that the whole building programme needs urgent reform and increased investment.

Payments For Non Casual Substitute Teachers
Monday, 15 February 10
Following representations from the INTO the DES has agreed to pay non casual substitutes for the days where schools were closed due to poor weather conditions in early January.

Updated Information re ICT Grant
Friday, 12 February 10
The DES have updated their FAQs in relation to the €22 million issued to primary schools for ICT before Christmas.

Teachers' Flat Rate Expenses - Update
Wednesday, 10 February 10
The following expenses for teachers have been confirmed by the Revenue:

Section 29 Appeals
Thursday, 4 February 10
Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 allows parents of pupils affected by a refusal to enrol/suspension/expulsion decision of a Board of Management to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of the Department of Education.  

Are You Angry at the Pay Cuts? - Email Your TD
Tuesday, 2 February 10
Have your say – Email your TDs.

INTO and IMPACT Discuss Work to Rule
Tuesday, 2 February 10
The INTO and IMPACT Trade Unions have had detailed discussions on the implementation of work to rule directives in primary and special schools.

100 Schools Gain a Teacher
Friday, 29 January 10
The DES has published a list of schools that are being allocated additional teaching posts in accordance with commitments in the renewed Programme for Government.

New Staffing Schedule Published
Friday, 29 January 10
The DES has published a new staffing schedule for primary schools.

Clarification on Summer Course Providers
Wednesday, 27 January 10
The Drumcondra Education Centre recently sent a letter to all schools re applications for summer course providers.

INTO/EBS Handwriting Competition 2010
Tuesday, 26 January 10
The INTO and EBS are delighted to launch the annual INTO/EBS Handwriting Competition. The competition is open to all schools and entries will be judged on style, flair, neatness and layout of the handwriting.

Clarification on Directive
Monday, 25 January 10
Members will receive copies of the the directive issued by the CEC of the INTO with the Jan/Feb InTouch this week.

Education International Haiti Appeal
Tuesday, 26 January 10
Education International, the representative group for unions around the world, has launched an appeal for victims of the earthquake disaster in Haiti.

Education Unions Meet to Review Campaign
Monday, 25 January 10
A Joint Statement by Presidents and General Secretaries of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI), Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT), Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) and Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) has been released.

New DES Circulars
Monday, 25 January 10
The DES has released new circulars this month on salaries, special education, professional development and the Teacher Fee Refund Scheme 2009.

Pay Cuts Hit Salary
Thursday, 21 January 10
INTO members throughout the country felt the effect in their salaries today of the pay cut imposed by the government in Budget 2010.

Educating for the Digital Society
Wednesday, 20 January 10
This week David Puttnam addressed a breakfast meeting of the IIEA's Digital Future Group on the topic of Education in the Digital Society.

Teacher Supply Panel Scheme
Tuesday, 19 January 10
The INTO has called on the Education Minister to reverse plans to abolish panels of supply teachers around the country.  

Have Your Say - Attend Your Branch Meeting
Tuesday, 19 January 10
Following an INTO Branch and District Officers' meeting on Saturday, branch AGMs have started throughout the country.

Logging in to the Members' Area
Friday, 15 January 10
A number of calls are coming in to Head Office from members having difficulty logging in for the first time to the Members' Area of the website.

Supervision Opt Out Form Available
Thursday, 14 January 10
The DES has published a form for completion by teachers who have opted out of supervision duties for the 2009/2010 school year.

CEC Decides on New Directive
Wednesday, 13 January 10
At its most recent meeting the Central Executive Committee of the INTO expressed its total opposition to the imposition of pay cuts as outlined in Budget 2010 and will continue a campaign of protest against Government’s targeting of INTO members and public sector workers generally.

Commercial Exploitation of School Children
Tuesday, 12 January 10
The INTO has said primary teachers should not support advertising projects by commercial companies which target children or their families through schools.

Minister O’Keeffe to Allow Schools to Reopen Tomorrow
Monday, 11 January 10
Arising from an update on the weather, the Minister for Education and Science, Batt O’Keeffe TD, has decided that the normal arrangements whereby schools decide to open or close based on local circumstances should be re-instated.

Queries on Pension Changes
Monday, 11 January 10
INTO Head Office has received a large number of queries about proposed changes to Public Service pensions announced by the Minister for Finance in his Budget speech.

Minister Announces School Closures
Friday, 8 January 10
All national and secondary schools are to remain closed until Thursday 14 January, Minister for Education Batt O'Keefe announced this afternoon.

CEC Meets to Consider Campaign of Action
Friday, 8 January 10
The Central Executive Committee of the INTO met on Wednesday, 6 January and will meet again on Saturday, 9 January to consider a range of actions and Directives in response to the unilateral imposition of pay cuts in the public service by the Government.

Statement by the DES on the planned re-opening of schools
Wednesday, 6 January 10
In relation to the planned re-opening of schools this week against the backdrop of bad weather conditions, the Department wishes to clarify that it is a matter for individual boards of management to decide whether local weather and road conditions warrant the closure of a school.

Newly Elected General Treasurer
Wednesday, 23 December 09
Noel Ward has been elected as INTO General Treasurer/Deputy General Secretary.

Whole School Evaluation Report
Wednesday, 23 December 09
A report of the research carried out by the INTO Education Committee from 2006 – 2009 on Whole School Evaluation is now available from the INTO website.

Teachers on Probation
Thursday, 17 December 09
The INTO has made representations to the Inspectorate in the Department of Education and Science in relation to teachers on probation this year who have been notified that, due to staffing shortages within the Inspectorate, will not be probated this year.

100 Additional Posts for Primary Schools
Thursday, 17 December 09
Under the Renewed Programme for Government an additional 500 teachers are to be recruited in this and the following two school years (200 plus 150 plus 150).

Claim Your Tax Back
Thursday, 17 December 09
Members are reminded that under current Tax Legislation a person is able to claim back over the previous 4 tax years for any over-payment or refund due.

Adaptation Period – Teaching Council Closing Date
Wednesday, 16 December 09
The Teaching Council has written to teachers who are currently registered with conditions, where one of the conditions is meeting the Irish Language Requirement, and where the teacher has not met the requirement through the SCG.

Teaching Council Research Bursary Scheme
Wednesday, 16 December 09
The application deadline for the fourth scheme of research bursaries has been extended to Friday 8 January 2010 at 12 noon.

Election of INTO General Treasurer Closes Friday
Tuesday, 15 December 09
Ballot papers for the election of INTO General Treasurer were issued to eligible voters based on the Organisation's membership list on Friday 27 November 2009.

Protest Against Public Sector Pay Cuts
Wednesday, 16 December 09
Addressing thousands of protesters outside Dail Eireann at a budget protest organised by the Public Service Committee of Congress Sheila Nunan of the INTO said an out of touch government had lost social partnership and was now putting at risk social cohesion. “This government had a social partnership vehicle,” she said. “It crashed it by ending talks with the unions and the budget provisions torched the wreckage.”

CEC Decides on Action
Friday, 11 December 09
The CEC of the INTO met over the past two days to consider the impact and reaction to the pay cuts announced in Budget 2010.
The CEC reflected on the widespread anger and disillusionment among members at the breakdown in the recent talks with Government and the unilateral imposition of pay cuts.

Budget 2010
Thursday, 10 December 09
Details of Budget 2010 are available below.

Join the Anti-Budget Protest
Tuesday, 15 December 09
The Public Services Committee of Congress have called an ANTI BUDGET protest for this evening, Tuesday 15 December, outside Dail Eireann between 6pm and 8pm.

Cycle to Work Scheme Reminder
Monday, 14 December 09
Closing date for applications for this scheme is Tuesday, 15 December.

Teacher Unions Rule Out Return to Talks on Change
Thursday, 10 December 09
The general secretaries and presidents of the four teacher unions met this morning to consider the impact of the budget on teachers and their families and plan a response.

CEC to Consider Budget Outcome
Tuesday, 8 December 09
The CEC of the INTO met for several hours last night to review the situation following the breakdown of talks with Public Service Unions and Government last week.

Union Post December 09
Tuesday, 8 December 09
The December issue of ICTU's Union Post is now online.

Irish Language Requirement
Friday, 4 December 09
Traditionally primary teachers wishing to fulfil the Irish Language Requirement (An Cháilíocht sa Ghaeilge) undertook the Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge (SCG – Aptitude Test). In future prospective candidates will have the option of fulfilling  the Irish Language Requirement by undertaking an Adaptation Period (OCG – Oiriúnú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge)

CEC Meets to Review Situation
Monday, 7 December 09
The CEC of the INTO will meet this evening to consider the situation following the collapse of the pay talks between government and public service unions last week.

Update on Talks
Friday, 4 December 09
Message to all INTO members from Sheila Nunan, Designate General Secretary

Posts of Responsibility In Newly Established Schools
Thursday, 3 December 09
Arrangements for the 2009/10 school year for the filling of the first allocation of posts of responsibility in newly established schools.

Human Rights and Equality in the Irish Recession: Discussion Evening
Tuesday, 1 December 09
INTO Learning and ICTU Global Solidarity invite you to an discussion evening on where Ireland stands with regard to human rights and equality.

Coverage of National Strike on 24th November
Thursday, 26 November 09
INTO members throughout the country joined with public service colleagues in a one day national strike on November 24th to demonstrate to the government their determination to ensure a better, fairer way of dealing with the current economic crisis.

INTO Pre-Budget Submission
Thursday, 26 November 09
In a pre-budget submission to the Minister for Finance the INTO has demanded funding in December’s Budget to implement recent education promises.

Public Services Committee Announce Second Day of Action
Tuesday, 24 November 09
Second one-day strike set for Thursday 3rd December if renewed talks fail.

Here for the holidays? Not when there are 28 other reasons to be a teacher
Tuesday, 24 November 09
Irish Times Education Profile on Teachers.

Minor Works Grant for 2009/2010
Monday, 23 November 09
The DES has confirmed that the Minor Works Grant for 2009/2010 will be lodged to schools' bank accounts over the coming days.

New DES Circular on Swine Flu
Friday, 20 November 09
The DES have issued Circular 0066/2009 on the vaccination programme for all children and school staff against Pandemic (H1N1) 2009

Payment of Arrears to Part-Time Teachers
Tuesday, 17 November 09
The DES has informed the INTO that the payment of arrears to Part-time Resource / Language / Learning Support Teachers which were due to be paid on 26 November 2009 will not now be paid until 10 December 2009.

Launch of €150m Plan for ‘Smart Schools’
Monday, 16 November 09
The INTO described the launch of €150m plan for ‘smart schools’ as a very small step forward.

Rural Schools Safe from Closure - For Now
Thursday, 12 November 09
Sheila Nunan, INTO Incoming General Secretary, said it was clear that rural school closures had not dropped off the Government's agenda.

NESF Child Literacy and Social Inclusion Report
Wednesday, 11 November 09
A NESF Report on child literacy and social inclusion finds problems in disadvantaged areas unchanged over 25 years.

DES Circular on Water Charges in Schools
Wednesday, 11 November 09
The introduction of full metered water charges at commercial rates will see water bills double in schools.

Public servants don't get 'Rolls Royce' pensions
Wednesday, 11 November 09
Article by Pat Crowe, Primary Teacher and Chair of West Liffey Branch INTO in today's Irish Independent.

ESRI Report
Thursday, 4 June 09
Adapting to Diversity: Irish Schools and Newcomer Studentsby Emer Smyth, Merike Darmody, Frances McGinnity and Delma Byrne

Thank You For Standing Up
Monday, 9 November 09
The INTO would like to sincerely thank the thousands of INTO members who attended the Get Up Stand Up rallies around the country last Friday.

INTO Ballot Concludes This Week
Monday, 9 November 09
INTO members throughout the country are continuing to ballot for industrial action.

OECD Economic Survey of Ireland
Thursday, 5 November 09
INTO says OECD Economic Survey of Ireland deeply flawed and full of incorrect information and unsubstantiated assertions.

DES Announces €4.2m For IT Grants
Monday, 2 November 09
Over 380 primary schools across the country are to get €4.2 million in grants for high-tech equipment over the coming days as part of the Government's efforts to make technology an integral part of the learning process.

Public Service Strike Called For 24 November
Thursday, 29 October 09
The Public Services Committee of ICTU yesterday decided to call a 24 hour public service strike on Tuesday, 24th November subject to the outcome of balloting currently underway in various unions.

Sheila Nunan in the Media on Unemployed Teachers
Thursday, 29 October 09
Sheila Nunan, INTO General Secretary Designate, has been in the media this week discussing the plight of unemployed teachers.

Summer Works Scheme 2010
Wednesday, 28 October 09
The DES has announced details of the 2010 Summer Works Scheme.

Primary Grant Calendar 2009/2010
Wednesday, 28 October 09
The DES has produced a calendar of grant deadlines for the 2009/2010 school year.

Union Post October 2009
Wednesday, 28 October 09
The ICTU has produced the October 2009 issue of the Union Post on the Get Up Stand Up campaign.

Tax Saver Commuter Tickets
Tuesday, 27 October 09
Important notice: The deadline for application for this scheme for 2009 is Friday, 6 November.

Government ICTU talks to be held on Wednesday 28 October
Tuesday, 27 October 09
ICTU representatives including Sheila Nunan, INTO General Secretary Designate, will meet with Government representatives on Wednesday to discuss the current economic situation.

Pay Talks Next Week
Thursday, 22 October 09
Public sector union leaders, including the INTO, will begin discussions next week with government representatives on public sector pay and related matters.

ICTU Announces Local Rallies
Wednesday, 21 October 09
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is organising mass rallies in eight locations around the country on 6 November in protest at the Government's economic strategies.

Latest Eolas - Ballot on Industrial Action
Tuesday, 20 October 09
The October 2009 issue of Eolas with the heading 'Ballot on Industrial Action: There is STILL a Better, Fairer Way' is now available for download.

Cycle To Work Scheme
Thursday, 15 October 09
The INTO has been in contact with the DES about how the Cycle to Work Scheme announced by the Government will apply to teachers.

Recruitment of Temporary/Substitute Teachers
Thursday, 15 October 09
The Minister for Education and Science Batt O’Keefe TD, has issued an information note for primary and post-primary school authorities which encourages schools to give priority to qualified teachers and particularly newly or recently qualified teachers when making appointments for periods of substitution cover.

INTO Meetings For Non Permanent Teachers
Wednesday, 14 October 09
The INTO is holding a series of regional meetings for non permanent teachers (temporary, substitute and unemployed) in the coming weeks.

DES Tax and PRSI Review
Wednesday, 14 October 09
Important notice for teachers who pay class 'A' PRSI and who were absent on Maternity, Adoptive or Illness leave from 1 January 2003 to date. 

INTO to Ballot on Action
Tuesday, 13 October 09
The four teacher unions (INTO, ASTI, TUI and IFUT) have jointly decided to conduct a ballot of all members for a renewed mandate on industrial action. This ballot is part of the wider Public Service response to the current threat to pay and working conditions.  

INTO Says New Deal Is Best Available In Current Circumstances
Monday, 12 October 09
The INTO has described the agreement between the government parties as a genuine attempt to protect primary education in a very difficult economic environment. 

Section 24 (Education Act)
Thursday, 8 October 09
Following protracted and difficult discussions between the teacher unions, managerial authorities and the Department of Education and Science, revised procedures in relation to professional competence issues and general disciplinary matters have been published by the Department of Education and Science.

INTO Bursary Scheme 2009/2010
Friday, 2 October 09
The INTO Bursary Scheme for educational research is run on an annual basis. A maximum of five bursaries of €1,500 are awarded.  

Applying for Probation
Wednesday, 30 September 09
It is essential that the Inspectorate is informed as soon as possible of the fact that an unprobated teacher has been appointed to a school and is eligible for probation.

Update on ICTU Talks
Wednesday, 30 September 09
ICTU Protest called for the afternoon of Friday 6th November 2009.

INTO Branch Meetings
Tuesday, 29 September 09
The schedule of October branch meetings is now almost complete.

INTO Will Ballot Members If Talks Break Down
Monday, 28 September 09
The CEC of the INTO at its meeting last Thursday and Friday decided to ballot members on action up to and including strike action if talks with the Government break down.

Annual Primary School Census
Friday, 25 September 09
DES gathers statistics from primary schools through Annual Census

Teacher Unions Oppose Pay Cuts
Tuesday, 22 September 09
The four Teacher Unions have declared their opposition to cuts in the pay of their members. 

ESRI Report on Pay Rates Rejected by INTO
Tuesday, 22 September 09
A report from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) comparing private and public sector pay rates has been rejected by public service unions, including the INTO, primarily on the basis that the data used is out of date as it was compiled before the imposition of the pension levy on public servants earlier this year.

New RTAI Website
Tuesday, 22 September 09
The Retired Teachers' Association of Ireland has launched its new website.

Information Meetings Conclude This Week
Monday, 21 September 09
The CEC is holding a series of information meetings for principals, deputy principals, INTO staff representatives and INTO officers.

CEC to Consider Statistical Returns
Friday, 18 September 09
The CEC has become aware that the DES has issued a revised statistical form and guidance booklet to schools in recent days.

ICTU Announces Campaign of Opposition
Thursday, 17 September 09
Congress has announced that it will organise a campaign of sustained opposition to Government inaction on jobs, the threat of cuts to public services and to ensure that the burden of economic adjustment is not borne disproportionately by working people and their families.

DES Review of Rented School Accommodation
Monday, 14 September 09
The DES has advised INTO that it has come to their attention that some prefab providers may be requesting schools to enter into written contracts now for prefabs that are already in place.

INTO Concerned about Unemployed Teachers
Friday, 4 September 09
The INTO is gravely concerned about reports of high numbers of qualified primary teachers seeking employment as a result of government cutbacks and increases in class sizes.

Commission on Taxation Report
Monday, 7 September 09
The long awaited Commission on Taxation Report has just been published.

INTO Directive to Members
Thursday, 3 September 09
Further to the recent directive to members in relation to the moratorium on posts of responsibility, the CEC has agreed an expanded plan of action against recent cuts in resources for primary education, the moratorium on filling Assistant Principal and Special Duties posts and the unilateral imposition of levies on salaries by the Government.

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (Swine Flu)
Thursday, 3 September 09
Useful links in relation to this issue, including updated information from the DES.

Teacher Voice Health Survey
Friday, 14 August 09
Teacher Voice Health Survey: We want your feedback on this very important issue.

CSO Confirms Large Irish Primary Classes
Tuesday, 11 August 09
CSO Report shows that Irish class sizes at primary level are among the highest in Europe.

INTO Solidarity and Equality summer course
Tuesday, 11 August 09
This course has been cancelled.

McCarthy Report
Monday, 20 July 09
The Central Executive Committee of the INTO will discuss the McCarthy Report at its August meeting.

CMR Draw 2009 - Winners
Thursday, 18 June 09
The annual INTO Members’ Draw in aid of Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children took place in INTO Head Office on Friday 12th June.

McCarthy Report Press Release
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Statement by John Carr, General Secretary, INTO, on McCarthy Report

ICTU Conference 2009
Tuesday, 7 July 09
The ICTU Biennial Delegate Conference is currently underway in the Mount Brandon Hotel in Tralee.

Review of the Process for Recognising New Primary Schools
Friday, 26 June 09
The DES has initiated a review of recognition for primary schools.

ICTU Executive Considers Government Proposals
Wednesday, 24 June 09
The Executive Council of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions met today to consider Government proposals on economic recovery.

Supervision Claim Forms
Thursday, 18 June 09
The DES have confirmed that Supervision Claim Forms have been issued.

When An Inspector Comes To Call
Thursday, 18 June 09
This opinion piece by John Carr, INTO General Secretary, was published in the Irish Examiner on Thursday 18th June 2009.

IPPN/NAPD Pupil Transfer Forms
Wednesday, 17 June 09
The INTO Executive learned of the development of a pupil transfer form by the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN) and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) through the media. The Executive considered this form at its recent meeting  and expressed grave concern at this development which creates significant additional workload for teachers.

Transitional Arrangements for SNA Review
Monday, 15 June 09
The DES has issued Circular 0037/2009.

Levies Hit Salaries
Monday, 8 June 2009
The effects of the changes to the income levy, health levy, PRSI ceiling and the revised pension deduction for the public service were reflected in teachers’ salaries on Thursday 14 May. The measures outlined by the government with effect from 1 May can be summarised as follows: