INTO welcomes early clarity in advance of 2021/22 school year

The INTO welcomes early clarity provided by the Department of Education through the publication of three new information notes. The INTO had sought clarity on these issues to enable schools and teachers to plan for the coming year. These notes outline the temporary changes to two leave schemes and detail the substitution arrangements for the 2021/22 school year. The information notes are: 

  • Information Note TC 0015/2021 titled “Temporary changes to the Career Break Scheme for Registered Teachers employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools – 2021/22 School Year” . This removes the restrictions on the number of substitute teaching days which may be worked by a teacher while on career break.
  • Information Note TC 0016/2021 titled “Temporary Changes to the Job Sharing Scheme for Registered Teachers employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools – 2021/22 School Year”. This provides for a job-sharing teacher to be employed in a substitute capacity in his/her/their own school only during the period he/she/they are rostered off duty.
  • Information Note TC 0018/2021 titled “Coronavirus (COVID-19): Temporary Substitution Arrangements and Extra Personal Vacation (EPV) Leave for Registered Teachers employed in recognised Primary Schools – 2021/22 School Year”. This sets out the arrangements for additional substitute cover for a range of absences and for EPV days.

In light of the scarcity of fully-qualified substitute teachers during the 2020/21 school year, the INTO has been exhorting the Department of Education to put these and other measures in place for the next school year including substitute supply panels nationwide.