Resolutions from Congress 2024

CONGRESS 2024 – Resolutions 

   RESOLUTION
1  Pay

Congress:

a.   notes that members north and south have accepted recent pay agreements;

b.   instructs the CEC to continue to use every available strategy up to and including strike action to secure a fair pay offer for INTO members in Northern Ireland;

c.    acknowledges that the pay increases under the Building Momentum Agreement have resulted in teachers suffering a reduction in real pay due to cost of living crisis and inflation;

d.   notes that inflation from 2021-2023 was almost double that of the average pay increases under the Building Momentum Agreement;

e.   further acknowledges the additional financial pressures continue to be experienced by teachers due to the recent cost of living and housing crisis;

f.   asserts that it is not acceptable for members living standards to be eroded by inflation on an ongoing basis and that a guiding principle for pay negotiations must be that members be compensated for rising inflation;

g.   recognises the ongoing extortionate accommodation costs in our cities which has further accelerated in recent years, leading to urban schools not being able to recruit and retain teachers; and

h.   further instructs the CEC to negotiate with the Department of Education for:

1.     an allowance for teachers similar to the ‘London Weighting Allowance’ to compensate for higher living costs in cities;

2.    the introduction of a DEIS Teachers’ Allowance, a Special School Teacher Allowance and a Special Class Teacher Allowance; and

i.   demands that the CEC, using the sectoral bargaining funds or equivalent, set out a schedule of annual payments to 2011-2014 entrants over a 10-year period to restore the historical losses imposed upon them.
 2  Substitution / Substitute Cover 

Congress demands that:

  1. substitute cover be provided for all approved teacher absences; and
  2. in the event that a substitute teacher cannot be sourced for a substitutable absence, this time can be banked by the school.
 3  Allowances

Congress:

a.   calls on the CEC to negotiate the reinstatement of academic and other allowances which have been withdrawn for new beneficiary teachers since 1 February 2012, including:

  1. Diploma in Special Education Allowance
  2. allowance to principals who act as secretary of Board of Management
  3. Masters Degree by thesis or exam
  4. Masters Degree (1st/2nd class) Honours
  5. Doctorate Degree
  6. Teaching Through Irish Allowance
  7. Gaeltacht Allowance
  8. Island Allowance;

b.   notes that the value of an Honours Degree Allowance is now incorporated into each point of the pay scale for teachers appointed on or after 1 January 2011; and

c.   calls on the CEC to negotiate the adjustment of the Primary Degree Pass Allowance to the value of an Honours Degree Allowance for all pre 1 January 2011 entrants who are currently recipients of the Primary Degree Pass Allowance.
 4  School Funding / Special Education 

Congress:

a. highlights the fact that schools are struggling due to years of insufficient funding and the reduction of support services has resulted in an unmanageable burden on school budgets;

b. rejects the assertion by the NCSE that there is “insufficient data” available, resulting in the removal of complex needs from the criteria for provision of supports to schools; and

c. calls for the CEC to:

  1. publicly challenge this assertion;
  2. enter into negotiations with the relevant agencies to restore complex needs as criteria for supports;

d. further calls on the CEC to negotiate for:

  1.  improved resourcing for SEN in order to meet the increasing demands being faced in our schools;
  2. engage with the Departments of Education to create a more streamlined process for the provision of Assistive Technology to children who are identified as needing this in their medical and/or clinical reports;

e. demands that the CEC lobby the Department of Education to review the current funding models to ensure funding is adequate to meet the needs of all children admitted to schools, particularly those with complex needs.
 5  DEIS

Congress:

  1. notes the importance of the contribution of the DEIS scheme in closing the gap between educational outcomes for pupils living in disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged areas;
  2. recognises the unique challenges faced by school staff working in DEIS primary schools;
  3. instructs the CEC to campaign for:
  1. an increase in funding for the School Completion Programme:
  2. the provision of clinical supervision supports for teachers working as Home School Community Liaisons and other teachers working with vulnerable people in our DEIS schools;
  3. fully resourced and staffed nurture rooms in our most disadvantaged schools;
  4. the provision of additional teaching posts to ensure every principal in a DEIS band 1 school is an administrative principal;
  5. an introduction of 1 admin day a week for teaching deputy principals in DEIS band 1 schools; and
  6. the creation of a bespoke DEIS Plus band to offer greater support to our most disadvantaged schools.
 6  School Leadership
  1. finds that the workload and expectations placed upon principal teachers are unreasonably demanding;
  2. demands a structured step-down process for principals if they wish to do so;
  3. directs the CEC to negotiate with the Department of Education to have Circular 0054/2019 amended to provide a mechanism to allow principals to job share;
  4. calls for all staff to be counted when calculating principals’ and deputy principals’ allowances, and when allocating posts of responsibility to schools;
  5. calls for the enrolment thresholds for appointment of administrative principals and deputy principals to be reduced.
 7  Capitation / Funding

Congress:
a. deplores the difficult financial state that Irish primary schools find themselves in as a result of inadequate funding;

b. instructs the CEC to ensure that:

  1. capitation per primary school pupil to be brought in line with what is paid to voluntary secondary schools; and
  2. the additional capitation grant payable to pupils enrolled in special classes also be paid to pupils with diagnosed special educational needs enrolled in mainstream classes.
 8  Teacher Supply

Congress:

  1. condemns the continuing failure of the Department of Education to plan for an adequate supply of teachers for primary and special schools;
  2. calls on the Department of Education, in consultation with the INTO, to take a fundamentally different approach to this issue, which recognises the impact of teacher shortage and focuses on enhancing the attractiveness of the teaching profession in Ireland through measures including:
  1. ensuring that teachers’ terms and conditions including pay, promotional opportunities, professional development opportunities and working environment compare favourably with those available internationally in order to substantially increase the retention of teachers in the Irish system;
  2. providing that teachers returning from working abroad have their experience recognised and adequately remunerated;

c. instructs the CEC to avail of every opportunity to engage with the Department of Education and other bodies, including the Teaching Council to progress this approach; and

d. demands that the CEC engages with the Department of Education to generate a category on the OLCS to allow for substitutes to be appointed in a short term capacity where there is a permanent or fixed-term teaching vacancy in a school.
 9  Palestine

Congress:

a. deplores:

  1. the huge loss of life, in particular the killing and injuring of thousands of children and hundreds of teachers, during the latest Israeli bombardment of Gaza
  2. the simultaneous destruction of infrastructure, including schools and hospitals in Gaza and the West Bank;
  3. the 7 October Hamas attack on Israeli civilians;

b. commends the actions of the CEC and INTO members generally who have demonstrated tremendous solidarity with the Palestinian people in recent months;

c. instructs the CEC to regularly publicise the actions taken to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and to implement the motion supporting the BDS campaign passed at Congress 2022 in In Touch, on social media and in press statements;

d. notes that the Palestinian education infrastructure will need massive immediate investment in order to be able to provide Palestinian children with access to education and in this regard instructs the CEC to:

1. lobby the Irish government asking them to ensure that EU funding is made available to support the re-building of the education infrastructure and that it remains under Palestinian control;

2. seek the support of ICTU and the Education Trade Unions internationally for such a campaign; and

3. organise in Dublin in late 2024 or early 2025, with the support of Trade Union Friends of Palestine, other relevant Irish trade unions and civil society groups, a major Conference on the Rights of Palestinian Children similar to the Conference organised by TUFP in November 2019.
 10  Patronage

Congress:

  1. recognises the important role religious organisations played in the primary school education of the children of Ireland since the foundation of national school education in 1831;
  2.  notes:
    1. the new survey by the Department of Education for the opinions of parents of primary and pre-school parents on the subject of school patronage;
    2. the need for more diversity in our teacher workforce to reflect our student population;
    c. acknowledges the importance of inclusive education to all children and the right to same;
    d. instructs the CEC to survey all members on the questions:
    1. should faith formation education take place in primary schools? and
    2. should primary school education in Ireland have secular or religious patrons?;
    e. instructs the CEC to engage with the relevant primary school patron and management bodies to remove the requirement for a religious certificate in order to teach in schools;
    f. further demands that the CEC construct a taskforce on the future of primary school patronage in Ireland to examine the results of the survey and to report to Congress 2025.
 11  Pensions

Congress:

a. notes that the Single Public Service Pension Scheme for all 2013 entrants onwards is a pension scheme based on career average earnings rather than a pension calculated on final salary;
b. further notes that under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, the normal retirement age is the same as the eligibility age for the Contributory State Pension-currently age 66 and any retirement between age 55 and 66 is on a cost neutral basis only;

c. demands that the CEC:
1. commences an awareness campaign for teachers concerning the major differences in post 2012 pensions;
2. works with other public sector unions to improve the terms of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme; and

3. enters into negotiations to facilitate any teacher who completes 40 years of service to access their full pension entitlement regardless of whether they have reached the prescribed age for access to their contributory pension, should they choose to.
 12   Class size

Congress:

a.     notes:
1. the failure to reduce class size in Budget 2024;
2. the increasingly diverse needs of the school going population;
3. the continued roll out of the new primary curriculum;
b. demands a reduction in the staffing schedule to the European Union average of 20 pupils to one mainstream classroom teacher in all non-DEIS primary schools and that any such reduction to the staffing schedule be applied on a pro-rata basis in all DEIS primary schools;
c. directs the CEC to:
1. undertake a media and political lobbying campaign to gain widespread public support for smaller class sizes; and
2. seek the cooperation and support of all education stakeholders and relevant non governmental organisations for such a campaign.
 13  Teacher Supply

Congress:

  1. notes the acute teacher shortage in Ireland and the impact this has had on the education of our children and the additional stress and workload on teachers and principals;
  2. instructs the CEC to liaise with the Department of Higher Education to advocate that primary school education courses be offered in regions not served by an existing course to allow students from all socio-economic backgrounds an opportunity to become a teacher and remove the financial barrier;
    and
  3. further demands the CEC negotiates with the Department of Higher Education to open undergraduate Degree courses in the north west of Ireland within the next three years
 14  Death Grant 

Congress declares that a death grant, as provided for in Rule 110 B, shall, in respect of the death of a child of a member occurring on or after 4 April 2024, be set at €3,000.
 15  Surrogacy

Congress demands that teachers who have a child through surrogacy be entitled to 24 consecutive weeks surrogacy leave and the option of additional unpaid leave.
 16  Reproductive Leave

Congress:

a. commends the actions of the CEC and INTO members who have campaigned and lobbied for recognition of female health and equality for women in the workplace;
b. deplores that under current legislation women undergoing cancer treatment during maternity leave cannot extend their maternity leave until after their cancer treatment and must return to work when maternity leave expires;
c. instructs the CEC to:
1. publicly announce INTO’s support for the ‘Leave our Leave’ campaign run by the Irish Cancer Society across all media and communication platforms;
2. raise awareness among INTO members of this campaign;
3. make contact with the Irish Cancer Society and advise them of the INTO’s support for their campaign;
d. further calls on the CEC to work with ICTU and recognised civil society groups to support the campaign; and
e. further instructs the CEC to negotiate alongside the Irish Cancer Society with the Irish government, an extension of maternity leave for all mothers undergoing cancer treatment.

 

Passed Rule Changes: Fourth Report of Standing Orders 2024
Previous rule Proposed change New rule
Item 2: Motion 368
Rule 16Urgent matters not on the agenda may be introduced or discussed at any session of Congress, only when permission to do so has been obtained in the first instance from the SOC. Should this Committee, by a two-thirds majority, grant permission for the introduction of any such motion, the Secretary shall immediately inform the presiding Cathaoirleach, who shall immediately put this report to Congress and if carried, fix a suitable time for the introduction and discussion of such motion. An ‘urgent matter’ shall be deemed to be a matter of vital importance arising in the interval between the first Wednesday in February and the time during Congress at which permission to introduce it is sought. 		 Motion 368

Rule 16 Insert after ‘sought’ in line 9

“Urgent matters must be made available on the Congress Intranet before being proposed by Standing Orders, must be visible on the hall screens when proposed by Standing Orders, and must be provided in writing to members in the hall before being debated if accepted by Congress.”

District 5

 Rule 16

Urgent matters not on the agenda may be introduced or discussed at any session of Congress, only when permission to do so has been obtained in the first instance from the SOC. Should this Committee, by a two-thirds majority, grant permission for the introduction of any such motion, the Secretary shall immediately inform the presiding Cathaoirleach, who shall immediately put this report to Congress and if carried, fix a suitable time for the introduction and discussion of such motion.

An ‘urgent matter’ shall be deemed to be a matter of vital importance arising in the interval between the first Wednesday in February and the time during Congress at which permission to introduce it is sought. Urgent matters must be made available on the Congress Intranet before being proposed by Standing Orders, must be visible on the hall screens when proposed by Standing Orders, and must be provided in writing to members in the hall before being debated if accepted by Congress.
Item 3: Motion 369
Rule 19 BSubject to the discretion of the Cathaoirleach, the proposer of a motion shall be allowed not more than five minutes, the seconder three minutes and each succeeding speaker three minutes. The expiry of these periods shall be clearly indicated to the speaker and the delegates by a visible signal operated independently of the Cathaoirleach. Discussion on any one motion shall be limited to 30 minutes at the discretion of the Cathaoirleach. If there is no speaker against the motion, discussion shall be limited to a maximum of 15 minutes at the discretion of the Cathaoirleach.		 Rule 19 B

Insert after ‘Cathaoirleach’ in line 8

‘If there is a speaker against a motion, a minimum of 15 minutes will be allowed for discussion’.

District 5

 Rule 19 B

Subject to the discretion of the Cathaoirleach, the proposer of a motion shall be allowed not more than five minutes, the seconder three minutes, and each succeeding speaker three minutes. The expiry of these periods shall be clearly indicated to the speaker and the delegates by a visible signal operated independently of the Cathaoirleach.

Discussion on any one motion shall be limited to 30 minutes at the discretion of the Cathaoirleach. If there is no speaker against a motion, discussion shall be limited to a maximum of 15 minutes at the discretion of the Cathaoirleach. If there is a speaker against a motion, a minimum of 15 minutes will be allowed for discussion.
Item 4: Motion 370

Rule 13 D (ii)

The opening session of Congress shall be public and consist of:

(a) the ratification of tellers;

(b) the declaration of election results;

(c) the President’s address; and

(d) the addresses by representatives of the fraternal delegates and of

any special visitors.

The SOC report shall be taken in private following the end of the opening

session of Congress. The further business for the first evening shall be private

and:

(a) shall discuss the financial reports and motions (including

appointment of auditors, auditor’s report, balance sheet and

statement of accounts);

(b) shall discuss the Reports of the AC and BFC;

(c) the Report of the CEC shall be discussed and disposed of and the

Report of the NC shall be noted;

(d) Motions from Part II of the agenda shall be considered.

 

 Rule 13 D (ii)
Delete in its entirety and replace with
The opening session of Congress shall be public and consist of:
(a) the ratification of tellers;
(b) the declaration of election results;
(c) the President’s address; and
(d) the addresses by representatives of the fraternal delegates.
The SOC report shall be taken in private following the end of the opening
session of Congress. Congress will continue in private session until 6pm. This session
(a) shall discuss the financial reports and motions (including
appointment of auditors, auditor’s report, balance sheet and
statement of accounts);
(b) shall discuss the Reports of the AC and BFC; and
(c) Motions from Part II of the agendaCongress will revert to public session at 6pm and deal with items from Part I of the agenda.Central Executive Committee		 Rule 13 D (ii)

The opening session of Congress shall be public and consist of:
(a) the ratification of tellers;
(b) the declaration of election results;
(c) the President’s address; and
(d) the addresses by representatives of the fraternal delegates.
The SOC report shall be taken in private following the end of the opening
session of Congress. Congress will continue in private session until 6pm. This session
(a) shall discuss the financial reports and motions (including
appointment of auditors, auditor’s report, balance sheet and
statement of accounts);
(b) shall discuss the Reports of the AC and BFC; and
(c) Motions from Part II of the agenda

Congress will revert to public session at 6pm and deal with items from Part I of the agenda.

 
Item 5: Motion 371
Rule 13 D (iii)The first part of the public session on Day 2 shall be devoted to the addresses
by the Ministers for Education or their representatives. The reports of the Ed.C,
Eq.C and PDC and motions from Part 1 of the agenda shall also be taken. The
afternoon session on Day 2 shall be devoted to motions from Part I and Part II of
the agenda at the discretion of the Standing Orders Committee.		 Rule 13 D (iii)

Delete in its entirety and replace with

“The first part of the public session on Day 2 shall be devoted to the addresses
by the Ministers for Education or their representatives and the response of the General Secretary.
The remainder of the morning session on Day 2 shall be devoted to motions from Part I and Part II of the agenda at the discretion of the Standing Orders Committee and addresses by any special visitors.
The afternoon session will be private and will discuss and dispose of
(a) The report of the CEC. The report of the Northern Committee shall be noted.
(b) The reports of the Ed.C, Eq.C and PDC
and
(c) Motions from Part II of the agenda”

Central Executive Committee

 

 Rule 13 D (iii)

The first part of the public session on Day 2 shall be devoted to the addresses
by the Ministers for Education or their representatives and the response of the General Secretary.
The remainder of the morning session on Day 2 shall be devoted to motions from Part I and Part II of the agenda at the discretion of the Standing Orders Committee and addresses by any special visitors.
The afternoon session will be private and will discuss and dispose of
(a) The report of the CEC. The report of the Northern Committee shall be noted.
(b) The reports of the Ed.C, Eq.C and PDC
and
(c) Motions from Part II of the agenda
Item 6: Motion 372
Rule 40
A member may not be nominated for any position on the CEC, BFC, Ed.C, Eq.C or PDC
unless that member has given notice in writing of intention to be a candidate to the
General Secretary not later than 17.00 on the first working day of December preceding,
for publication by the General Secretary prior to the AGMs. A working day is a day on
which the Registered Office of the Organisation is open for business.		 Rule 40

Insert after ‘open for business’,
“Where an outgoing member of these Committees is not intending to put their name forward by this date, they shall inform all the branches in their District by 1st October”

Central Executive Committee

 

 Rule 40
A member may not be nominated for any position on the CEC, BFC, Ed.C, Eq.C or PDC
unless that member has given notice in writing of intention to be a candidate to the
General Secretary not later than 17.00 on the first working day of December preceding,
for publication by the General Secretary prior to the AGMs. A working day is a day on
which the Registered Office of the Organisation is open for business.
Where an outgoing member of these Committees is not intending to put their name forward by this date, they shall inform all the branches in their District by 1st October.
Item 7: Motion 373

Rule 47

All nominations must reach Head Office not later than 17.00 on the first Wednesday in February, nominations received after that date shall not be regarded as valid. The General Secretary shall send for publication in the first available issue of an official journal of the Organisation following the first Wednesday in February a list of all candidates who have been validly nominated for positions on the CEC, BFC, Ed.C., Eq.C and PDC, with the names of the branches by which each candidate has been nominated.

 Rule 47

Delete ‘send for publication in the first available issue of an official journal of the Organisation’

Insert ‘publish online’

Central Executive Committee

 Rule 47

All nominations must reach Head Office not later than 17.00 on the first Wednesday in February, nominations received after that date shall not be regarded as valid. The General Secretary shall publish online, following the first Wednesday in February, a list of all candidates who have been validly nominated for positions on the CEC, BFC, Ed.C., Eq.C and PDC, with the names of the branches by which each candidate has been nominated.
Item 8: Motion 375

Rule 49 B

Twenty-one days before the meeting of Congress, there shall be issued from Head Office to each qualified voter, a voting paper (which shall not show the number of nominations for each candidate) and two specially designed envelopes.

 Rule 49 B

Delete section and replace with:

“Twenty-one days before the meeting of Congress, all members eligible to vote shall receive the instructions and information necessary for the completion of an electronic ballot.”

Central Executive Committee

 Rule 49 B

Twenty-one days before the meeting of Congress, all members eligible to vote shall receive the instructions and information necessary for the completion of an electronic ballot.
Item 9: Motion 376

Rule 49 C

Voting for all positions on the CEC, BFC, Ed.C, Eq.C and PDC, including that for General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary/General Treasurer, shall be by the system of a single transferable vote. Voters will mark their voting papers 1, 2, 3, etc in the order of their preference. Having recorded their vote, they shall enclose the voting paper in the envelope marked ‘voting paper’, close the envelope, place it in the outer envelope and post it so as to reach the Official Scrutineer not later than the Wednesday in Holy Week

 Rule 49 C

Delete in its entirety and replace with

“Voting for all positions on the CEC, BFC, Ed.C, Eq.C and PDC, including that for General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary/General Treasurer, shall be held online by the system of a single transferable vote. Voters will mark their vote 1, 2, 3, etc in the order of their preference. The vote will close not later than the Wednesday of the week prior to Congress.

Central Executive Committee

 

 Rule 49 C

Voting for all positions on the CEC, BFC, Ed.C, Eq.C and PDC, including that for General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary/General Treasurer, shall be held online by the system of a single transferable vote. Voters will mark their vote 1, 2, 3, etc in the order of their preference. The vote will close not later than the Wednesday of the week prior to Congress.

 
Item 10: Motion377

Rule 49 D

The Official Scrutineer, who shall be a chartered accountant or public auditor, shall examine and count the votes on the Thursday prior to the official opening of Congress, and shall, on the conclusion of the count, send a report to the General Secretary.

  Rule 49 D

Delete section in its entirety and replace with:

“The Official Scrutineer, who shall be a chartered accountant or public auditor, shall examine the results of the voting process on the Thursday prior to the official opening of Congress, and shall, on the conclusion of the count, send a report to the General Secretary.”

Central Executive Committee

 Rule 49 D

The Official Scrutineer, who shall be a chartered accountant or public auditor, shall examine the results of the voting process on the Thursday prior to the official opening of Congress, and shall, on the conclusion of the count, send a report to the General Secretary.
Item 11: Motion 378

Rule 49 E

Candidates shall not be present at the counting of the votes but each candidate may nominate one person to represent them thereat. In order to secure admission to the count such representatives must produce to the Scrutineer a written authorisation of their appointment by the candidate whom they are to represent.

 

 Rule 49 E

Delete in its entirety and renumber following sections

Central Executive Committee

 Rule 49 E

Delete and section F renumbered as E
Item 12: Motion 379

Rule 50 B (i)

The NC shall consist of:

The CEC and BFC representatives: The representatives of the CEC for District I and II and the BFC Representative for Division I and other members of the CEC and BFC (if any) resident in Northern Ireland;

 Rule 50 B (i)

After  “CEC and BFC representatives” insert:

“the Northern Secretary”

Central Executive Committee

 

 Rule 50 B (i)

The NC shall consist of:

CEC and BFC representatives: The Northern Secretary, the representatives of the CEC for District I and II and the BFC Representative for Division I and other members of the CEC and BFC (if any) resident in Northern Ireland;

 
Item 13: Motion 380

Rule 50 B (iv)

the President and Vice-President for the time being.

 

 Rule 50 B (iv)

Reword as

“the current President and Vice-President.”

Central Executive Committee

 

 (iv) the current President and Vice-President
Item 14: Motion 381
Rule 53 BThe Committee shall consist of the President and Vice-President and members duly elected to represent each CEC Electoral District in the manner set down for returning CEC representatives. Candidates seeking election to the PDC in Districts III–XVI shall be proposed by at least one of the Principals’ fora at the fora AGMs in November. Where there is only one forum in a District, the forum may propose up to a maximum of two candidates. Candidates proposed at the fora AGMs shall give notice in writing of intention to be a candidate to the General Secretary not later than 17.00 on the first working day of December. Where more than one candidate has been duly nominated and ratified within a District, the PDC representative shall be elected in the manner set down for the election of CEC representatives.
In Districts I and II candidates seeking election to the PDC shall be nominated by their district committees. The District Committee may nominate a maximum of two candidates. Where more than one candidate has been duly nominated an election shall be held in the manner set down for returning CEC representatives.		 Delete in its entirety and replace with:

“The Committee shall consist of the President and Vice-President and members duly elected to represent each CEC Electoral District in the manner set down for returning CEC representatives. Candidates seeking election to the PDC shall be proposed by at least one of the Principals’ fora at the fora AGMs in November. Where there is only one forum in a District, the forum may propose up to a maximum of two candidates. Candidates proposed at the fora AGMs shall give notice in writing of intention to be a candidate to the General Secretary not later than 17.00 on the first working day of December. Where more than one candidate has been duly nominated and ratified within a District, the PDC representative shall be elected in the manner set down for the election of CEC representatives.”

 The Committee shall consist of the President and Vice-President and members duly elected to represent each CEC Electoral District in the manner set down for returning CEC representatives. Candidates seeking election to the PDC shall be proposed by at least one of the Principals’ fora at the fora AGMs in November. Where there is only one forum in a District, the forum may propose up to a maximum of two candidates.

Candidates proposed at the fora AGMs shall give notice in writing of intention to be a candidate to the General Secretary not later than 17.00 on the first working day of December. Where more than one candidate has been duly nominated and ratified within a District, the PDC representative shall be elected in the manner set down for the election of CEC representatives.
Item 15: Motion 382

Rule 65

The Officers of a District Committee shall be the District Cathaoirleach, District

Leas-Chathaoirleach, District Treasurer and District Secretary, who shall be elected at

the AGM of the District Committee to be held in June. District Treasurers and District

Secretaries may be allowed such honoraria as the District may direct, subject to guidelines

to be issued by the CEC from time to time and endorsed by Annual Congress

 Rule 65

After District Secretaries, insert:

 “and District representatives on the EDC, EQC and PDC”

Central Executive Committee

 Rule 65

The Officers of a District Committee shall be the District Cathaoirleach, District

Leas-Chathaoirleach, District Treasurer and District Secretary, who shall be elected at

the AGM of the District Committee to be held in June. District Treasurers and District

Secretaries and District representatives on the EDC, EQC and PDC may be allowed such honoraria from their funds as the District may direct, subject to guidelines to be issued by the CEC from time to time and endorsed by Annual Congress.
Item 16: Motion 383

Addition to Rule 65

The Officers of a District Committee shall be the District Cathaoirleach, District

Leas-Chathaoirleach, District Treasurer and District Secretary, who shall be elected at

the AGM of the District Committee to be held in June. District Treasurers and District

Secretaries may be allowed such honoraria as the District may direct, subject to guidelines

to be issued by the CEC from time to time and endorsed by Annual Congress

 

 Rule 65

After ‘Annual Congress’, add:

‘Such guidelines to specify that only one honorarium may be paid to a member.’

Central Executive Committee

 

 Rule 65

The Officers of a District Committee shall be the District Cathaoirleach, District

Leas-Chathaoirleach, District Treasurer and District Secretary, who shall be elected at

the AGM of the District Committee to be held in June. District Treasurers and District

Secretaries and [District representatives on the EDC, EQC and PDC*] may be allowed such honoraria from their funds as the District may direct, subject to guidelines to be issued by the CEC from time to time and endorsed by Annual Congress. Such guidelines to specify that only one honorarium may be paid to a member.
Item 17: Motion 384

Rule 73 E

The District Committee shall receive and consider reports from its members regarding the numerical strength of the Organisation in their areas, the numbers of teachers unassociated and the extent and nature of the organising work performed since the last meeting of the Committee. The District Committee shall make arrangements for the opening of new branches where such may be deemed necessary.

It shall, subject to the decision of the CEC, define the area from which a Branch may draw its membership. It shall review these areas from time to time and shall ensure that the membership of a Branch shall not be less than 30 members or more than 750 except with the specific authority of the District Committee.

The District Committee shall be entitled to exercise its specific authority in this matter for a period of up to two years only and in circumstances where the numerical strength of the Branch is 10% below the minimum figure where, in the judgement of the District Committee, there is a reasonable prospect of the Branch attaining the minimum figure within the two year period. However, a Branch may also lodge an appeal under Rule 74.

 Rule 73 E

Remove ‘teachers unassociated’ and insert ‘who are not members’

Central Executive Committee

 

 Rule 73 E

The District Committee shall receive and consider reports from its members regarding the numerical strength of the Organisation in their areas, the numbers of teachers who are not members and the extent and nature of the organising work performed since the last meeting of the Committee. The District Committee shall make arrangements for the opening of new branches where such may be deemed necessary. It shall, subject to the decision of the CEC, define the area from which a Branch may draw its membership.

It shall review these areas from time to time and shall ensure that the membership of a Branch shall not be less than 30 members or more than 750 except with the specific authority of the District Committee. The District Committee shall be entitled to exercise its specific authority in this matter for a period of up to two years only and in circumstances where the numerical strength of the Branch is 10% below the minimum figure where, in the judgement of the District Committee, there is a reasonable prospect of the Branch attaining the minimum figure within the two year period. However, a Branch may also lodge an appeal under Rule 74.

 
Item 18: Motion

Rule 76 A

Eligibility for Admission to Ordinary Membership

  • Qualified teachers serving under and in receipt of salary from the Department of Education and Skills (DES) and who are appropriately registered with the Teaching Council.
  • Qualified teachers serving in schools and institutions recognised by the Department of Education in Northern Ireland (DENI).

Such other category or categories of qualified teachers as may be defined by the CEC.

 Rule 76 A

Eligibility for Admission to Ordinary Membership

Delete sections (i) and (ii) and replace with

(i) Teachers registered with the Teaching Council in ROI under Route 1 or Route 4.

(ii) Registered and qualified teachers serving in schools and institutions recognised by the Department of Education in Northern Ireland (DENI).

Central Executive Committee

 

 Rule 76

A.    Eligibility for Admission to Ordinary Membership

(i)        Teachers registered with the Teaching Council in ROI under Route 1 or Route 4.

(ii)      Registered and qualified teachers serving in schools and institutions recognised by the Department of Education in Northern Ireland (DENI).

(iii)    Such other category or categories of qualified teachers as may be defined by the CEC.

 
Item 19: Motion 386

Rule 76 C (iii)

Qualified teachers taking up their first appointment in Ireland may become members of the Organisation with entitlement to full benefit by completing in full the appropriate application form authorising deduction of subscription from salary and submitting it to the Branch Secretary of the Branch of which their school is a designated school or by submitting it online to Head Office in accordance with Rule 133 of these Rules.

 Rule 76 C (iii)

Delete section and replace with

“Registered teachers taking up their first appointment in Ireland may become members of the Organisation with entitlement to full benefit by completing in full the appropriate application form authorising deduction of subscription from salary and submitting it online to Head Office in accordance with Rule 133 of these Rules.”

Central Executive Committee

 

 Rule 76 C (iii)

Registered teachers taking up their first appointment in Ireland may become members of the Organisation with entitlement to full benefit by completing in full the appropriate application form authorising deduction of subscription from salary and submitting it online to Head Office in accordance with Rule 133 of these Rules.
Item 20: Motion 387

Rule 76 C (v)

Members who resign from the teaching service and who at the time of their resignation were in full benefit, shall be eligible on reappointment as teachers, to qualify again for full benefit with effect from the date of receipt of the completed application form authorising deduction of subscription from salary, by the Branch Secretary or online by Head Office, in accordance with Rule 133 of these Rules, provided these documents are received by the Branch Secretary or online by Head Office within three months of reappointment. Otherwise, the terms of Section (vii) of this Rule will apply.

 

 Rule 76 C (v)

After “from the date of”

Delete “receipt of the completed application form authorising deduction of subscription from salary, by the Branch Secretary or online by Head Office, in accordance with Rule 133 of these Rules, provided these documents are received by the Branch Secretary or online by Head Office within three months of reappointment”.  

And replace with

“of notification of reappointment.”

Central Executive Committee

 

 Rule 76 C (v)

Members who resign from the teaching service and who at the time of their resignation were in full benefit, shall be eligible on reappointment as teachers, to qualify again for full benefit with effect from the date of notification of reappointment. Otherwise, the terms of Section (vii) of this Rule will apply.

 
Item 21: Motion 388

Rule 76 C (vi)

Unassociated teachers may become members on giving a written undertaking to pay any outstanding levies and on submission to the appropriate Branch Secretary of the completed application form authorising deduction of subscription from salary. They shall not be entitled to full benefit until they have completed two years membership.

 

 Rule 76 C (vi)

Delete section in its entirety and renumber following sections

Central Executive Committee

 

 Rule 76 C (vi)

Delete and renumber subsequent sections
Item 22: Motion 389

Rule 76 (viii)

In all cases membership will commence from the date of receipt of the completed application form, in accordance with Rule 133 of these Rules, by the Branch Secretary or online by Head Office and the Branch Secretary shall put the new application to a general meeting of the Branch/Branch Committee for ratification. Deduction of subscription will commence from the salary received in the third month following the date on which the form is received.

 

 Rule 76 (viii)

Delete all after Rule 133 of these Rules and insert

“online by Head Office. The Branch Secretary shall put the new application to a general meeting of the Branch/Branch Committee for ratification. Deduction of subscription will commence from the salary received in the seventh month following the date on which the form is received.”

Central Executive Committee

 

 Rule 76 C (viii) renumber

In all cases membership will commence from the date of receipt of the completed application form, in accordance with Rule 133 of these Rules, online by Head Office. The Branch Secretary shall put the new application to a general meeting of the Branch/Branch Committee for ratification. Deduction of subscription will commence from the salary received in the seventh month following the date on which the form is received.

 
Item 23: Motion 390

Rule 76 C (xi) 

Members, whose salaries are not paid by the DES or the DENI, shall pay their subscription in accordance with arrangements prescribed by the CEC. Those arrangements shall include provision for the admission of an unassociated teacher or the re-admission of a teacher after a break in service, where such teacher is not paid by the DES or the DENI.

 

 Rule 76 C (xi)

After “provision for” delete

“the admission of an unassociated teacher or”

Central Executive Committee

 

 Rule 76 C (xi) 

Members, whose salaries are not paid by the DES or the DENI, shall pay their subscription in accordance with arrangements prescribed by the CEC. Those arrangements shall include provision for the re-admission of a teacher after a break in service, where such teacher is not paid by the DE or the DENI.

 
Item 24: Motion 391

Rule 77 B

Members on leave without pay, including extended sick leave and extended maternity leave as well as members on career breaks, may join a special category of INTO membership by registering their name and home address with Head Office. They shall pay a subscription at a rate to be determined by the CEC. They shall be entitled to the benefits and facilities available to ordinary members but they shall not have the right to vote at meetings or in elections or ballots, or act as delegates of the Branch where their absence from school totals, or is scheduled to total, a period in excess of one school year.

 Rule 77 B

After “by the CEC” delete

“They shall be entitled to the benefits and facilities available to ordinary members but they shall not have the right to vote at meetings or in elections or ballots, or act as delegates of the Branch where their absence from school totals, or is scheduled to total, a period in excess of one school year.”

And insert:

“They shall be entitled to benefits and facilities as determined from time to time by the CEC”.

Central Executive Committee

 Rule 77 B

Members on leave without pay, including extended sick leave and extended maternity leave as well as members on career breaks, may join a special category of INTO membership by registering their name and home address with Head Office. They shall pay a subscription at a rate to be determined by the CEC. They shall be entitled to benefits and facilities as determined from time to time by the CEC.

 
Item 25: Motion 392

Rule 77 C

Qualified teachers, recognised by the DES, serving as substitutes in primary schools and qualified teachers who serve as substitutes in schools in Northern Ireland, shall be eligible for substitute membership. The amount of their subscription shall be determined from time to time by the CEC. They shall enjoy all rights and privileges accruing to ordinary members.

Substitute teacher members who have retired on pension shall have the right to attend, speak and vote at Branch meetings but not the right to contest Branch, District or National elections, or to act as delegates of the Branch or to benefit from death grants. They shall retain all other rights of membership. On joining the Organisation, the substitute member shall become a member of a Branch and shall remain a member of that Branch for the school year.

 Rule 77 C

After “to act as delegates”

Insert “or officers”

Central Executive Committee

 Rule 77 C

Substitute Teacher Members

Qualified teachers, recognised by the DES, serving as substitutes in primary schools and qualified teachers who serve as substitutes in schools in Northern Ireland, shall be eligible for substitute membership. The amount of their subscription shall be determined from time to time by the CEC. They shall enjoy all rights and privileges accruing to ordinary members. Substitute teacher members who have retired on pension shall have the right to attend, speak and vote at Branch meetings but not the right to contest Branch, District or National elections, or to act as delegates or officers of the Branch or to benefit from death grants. They shall retain all other rights of membership. On joining the Organisation, the substitute member shall become a member of a Branch and shall remain a member of that Branch for the school year.
Item 26: Motion 393

Rule 77 E

Student teachers may be enrolled as student members on such terms and conditions as the CEC may prescribe from time to time.

A student in training who is recognised as a teacher shall not be entitled to rank as a student member.

 Rule 77 E

Delete all after “from time to time”

Central Executive Committee

 Rule 77 E

Student teachers may be enrolled as student members on such terms and conditions as the CEC may prescribe from time to time.

 
Item 27: Motion 394

Rule 77 H

Teachers who have been members at the time of their retirement on disability pension may be allowed grants under Rules 110 or 111 at the discretion of the BFC until the end of the month in which the age of 60 is reached.

 Rule 77 H

Delete in its entirety and replace with

Teachers who Retire on Ill-Health

‘Teachers who have been members at the time of their retirement on ill-health pension may be allowed grants under Rules 110 or 111 at the discretion of the BFC until their normal retirement age (ROI) or normal pension age (NI).

Central Executive Committee

 

 Rule 77 H

Teachers who retire on Ill-health

Teachers who have been members at the time of their retirement on ill-health pension may be allowed grants under Rules 110 or 111 at the discretion of the BFC until their normal retirement age (ROI) or normal pension age (NI).
Item 28: Motion 395

Rule 78 A

Members who wish to terminate their membership shall apply in writing for the appropriate form to the General Secretary or to their Branch Secretary. The completed form shall be returned to the General Secretary, who shall be responsible for notifying the DES or the DENI and the member’s Branch Secretary.

 Rule 78

Delete section A and replace with

‘Members who wish to terminate their membership shall do so by contacting the membership section , who shall be responsible for notifying the DES or the DENI and the member’s Branch Secretary’.

Central Executive Committee

 Rule 78

A.     Termination of Membership

Members who wish to terminate their membership shall do so by contacting the membership section, who shall be responsible for notifying the DES or the DENI and the member’s Branch Secretary.
Item 29: Motion 396

Rule 80 B

All outstanding levies due from members or from unassociated teachers admitted to membership shall be paid in accordance with arrangements prescribed by the CEC. Members who fail to meet their commitments under these arrangements shall be deemed to have terminated their membership and instructions will be given to the DES to cease making deductions of subscriptions from their salaries. They shall cease to have any further claim on the funds of the Organisation from the last day of the month in respect of which a deduction had been made.

 Rule 80 B

Delete “or from unassociated teachers”

Central Executive Committee

 

 Rule 80 B

All outstanding levies due from members admitted to membership shall be paid in accordance with arrangements prescribed by the CEC. Members who fail to meet their commitments under these arrangements shall be deemed to have terminated their membership and instructions will be given to the DES to cease making deductions of subscriptions from their salaries. They shall cease to have any further claim on the funds of the Organisation from the last day of the month in respect of which a deduction had been made.

 
Item 30: Motion 397

Appendix 2 re Rule 111

G. The CEC shall give effect to the exemption of members to contribute to the Political Fund of the Organisation by relieving any members who are exempt from payment of part of any periodical contributions required from the members of the Organisation towards the expenses of the Organisation as hereinafter provided, and such relief shall be given as far as possible to all members who are exempt on the occasion of the same periodical payment.

 

For the purpose of enabling each member of the Organisation to know as respects any such periodical contribution what portion, if any, of the sum payable by the member is a contribution to the Political Fund of the Organisation, it is hereby provided that 3c of each monthly contribution is a contribution to the Political Fund of the Organisation and that any member who is exempt as aforesaid shall receive from Head Office an annual rebate 39c.

 Appendix 2 re Rule 111

G

Delete all after “Political Fund of the Organisation” (in the second paragraph)

and insert

“it is hereby provided that 0.111% of the annual members’ subscription is a contribution to the Political Fund of the Organisation and that any member who is exempt as aforesaid shall receive from Head Office an annual rebate of 0.111% of their previous year’s annual subscription”

Central Executive Committee

 

  Appendix 2   re Rule 111

G. The CEC shall give effect to the exemption of members to contribute to the Political Fund of the Organisation by relieving any members who are exempt from payment of part of any periodical contributions required from the members of the Organisation towards the expenses of the Organisation as hereinafter provided, and such relief shall be given as far as possible to all members who are exempt on the occasion of the same periodical payment.

For the purpose of enabling each member of the Organisation to know as respects any such periodical contribution what portion, if any, of the sum payable by the member is a contribution to the Political Fund of the Organisation, it is hereby provided that 0.111% of the annual members’ subscription is a contribution to the Political Fund of the Organisation and that any member who is exempt as aforesaid shall receive from Head Office an annual rebate of 0.111% of their previous year’s annual subscription.

 
Item 31: Motion 398

Rule 118 C

Persons who leave the teaching service shall cease to have any claims on the funds of the Organisation, except that members retiring on disability may be deemed to continue in benefit for the purpose of Rule 110 until the end of the month in which they reach the age of 60.

 Rule 118 C

Delete all after Rule 110 and insert “until their normal retirement age (ROI) or normal pension age (NI).”

Central Executive Committee

 Rule 118 C

Persons who leave the teaching service shall cease to have any claims on the funds of the Organisation, except that members retiring on disability may be deemed to continue in benefit for the purpose of Rule 110 until their normal retirement age (ROI) or normal pension age (NI).”
Item 32: Motions 399

Rule 92

Branch secretaries and organisers may be allowed such honoraria as the Branch may direct, subject to guidelines to be issued by the CEC from time to time and endorsed by Annual Congress.

 Rule 92

Delete and replace with

After Branch Secretaries

Insert ‘Branch Cathaoirleach’

Craobh Chualann

 Rule 92

Branch Secretaries, Branch Cathaoirleach and Organisers may be allowed such honoraria as the Branch may direct, subject to guidelines to be issued by the CEC from time to time and endorsed by Annual Congress.
Item 35: Motion 402

Rule 110 B (i)

(i) a death grant on the death of a spouse or civil partner of a member. The amount of the grant shall be decided by Congress from time to time;

 Rule 110 B (i)

Delete and replace with

‘a death grant on the death of a spouse, civil partner or child of a member. The amount of the grant shall be decided by Congress from time to time;’

Benefit Funds Committee

 Rule 110 B (i)

a death grant on the death of a spouse, civil partner or child of a member. The amount of the grant shall be decided by Congress from time to time;
Item 36: Motion 403

Rule 16

Urgent matters not on the agenda may be introduced or discussed at any session of Congress only when permission to do so has been obtained in the first instance from the SOC. Should this Committee, by a two-thirds majority, grant permission for the introduction of any such motion, the Secretary shall immediately inform the presiding Cathaoirleach, who shall immediately put this report to Congress and if carried, fix a suitable time for the introduction and discussion of such motion. An ‘urgent matter’ shall be deemed to be a matter of vital importance arising in the interval between the first Wednesday in February and the time during Congress at which permission to introduce it is sought

 Rule 16

Insert at end of Rule 16

Urgent matters must be presented in writing (digitally or otherwise) before the Report is put to Congress. Urgent matters must be visible on the Congress Hall monitors when proposed by Standing Orders.

Cootehill

 Rule 16

Urgent matters not on the agenda may be introduced or discussed at any session of Congress only when permission to do so has been obtained in the first instance from the SOC. Should this Committee, by a two-thirds majority, grant permission for the introduction of any such motion, the Secretary shall immediately inform the presiding Cathaoirleach, who shall immediately put this report to Congress and if carried, fix a suitable time for the introduction and discussion of such motion. An ‘urgent matter’ shall be deemed to be a matter of vital importance arising in the interval between the first Wednesday in February and the time during Congress at which permission to introduce it is sought. Urgent matters must be presented in writing (digitally or otherwise) before the Report is put to Congress. Urgent matters must be visible on the Congress Hall monitors when proposed by Standing Orders.

 

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