25th February 2022
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) has secured an extension to the temporary arrangements with regards to the Parental Leave scheme, following representations made to the Department of Education (DE). Yesterday afternoon the DE published Information Note TC 0003/2022 which confirms these arrangements. The six-week notice period for applications continues to be waived and the leave can continue to be granted in blocks of less than one week.
In light of the ongoing substitution challenges the INTO sought to prioritise children with additional needs in mainstream classes. The union secured agreement from the DE to permit schools to continue banking SET hours up until the Easter break. This is in circumstances where schools have not been able to secure a substitute teacher through other sources. This provision, along with updated guidance to schools following the mid-term break, is contained in Information Note SD 0003/2022.
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