 08-07-2010
Special Needs Assistants Form: 2010/2011
Use the link
below to download the appointment and re-appointment
form for Special Needs Assistants for the 2010/2011
school year.
Download Form »
05-07-2010
Limited alleviation of moratorium on filling of Posts
of Responsibility for 2010/11
DES has
issued Circular 0042/2010 which indicates that the alleviation
of the moratorium at primary level
will be limited. It is confined to those primary schools
that are deemed to be the most acutely affected by the
impact of the moratorium on the filling of vacant posts
of responsibility at Assistant Principal level. Primary
schools that had at least 400 pupils enrolled on 30
September 2009 will be eligible to be considered for
some limited alleviation.
Primary
schools meeting the above criteria, that wish to be
considered for some limited alleviation, should apply to
the Primary Allocations Section of the Department by
Friday 17 September 2010 setting out their particular
extenuating circumstances.
Download Circular 0042/2010 »
29-06-2010
Gas Supplies in Schools
The Irish
natural gas market has been fully opened up to
competition since July 2007. Since that date all
customers are eligible to switch gas supplier.
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) – the
independent electricity and gas regulator – has
responsibility for the regulation of charges in the gas
market including tariffs to final customers.
The regulatory arrangements which the CER has in place
aim to create a competitive, transparent retail market
offering real value to customers.
For the purposes of regulation the Irish gas market is
broken into a number of segments ranging from the very
large industrial users (such as electricity generation
plants) to residential consumers. Segment categorisation
is based on annual consumption levels and is not
governed by the type of business or activity.
Consequently, the annual consumption of a school
determines whether the residential tariff or the
commercial tariff formula will apply.
School authorities should be aware that benefits may be
gained by “shopping around” for gas suppliers in order
to obtain best value for money. As the Irish gas market
becomes more competitive further suppliers may emerge.
Up-to-date information on the market is available on the
CER website at
www.cer.ie
The
following licensed gas suppliers are currently in a
position to supply gas to schools:
|
BG Energy |
1850
211 541 |
Flogas |
(041) 987 4892 |
|
Energia |
(01)
869 2000 |
Vayu |
(01) 884 9400 |
|
|
|
|
|
23-06-2010
Solas: AGM 2010 Edition
The AGM 2010 Edition of
Solas has been posted to schools. Click on Solas in the menu
on the left to download a copy.
23-06-2010
Supervision
Claim / Change of Staff Forms
Primary schools are reminded that it is imperative that
the school roll number is put on the front of the
envelope on all written correspondence to the Primary
Teachers Payroll Section of the Department of Education
and Skills to facilitate delivery.
23-06-2010
Appointments Checklist for Boards
Click on the link to
download a checklist for boards making staff appointments (in
MS Word format: as featured in the June 2010 edition of the
CPSMA Newsletter).
Download Appointments Checklist
»
19-06-2010
Solas - AGM 2010 Edition
The AGM 2010 Edition
of Solas has been posted to schools. Click on the link below to
download a copy.
Download Solas AGM 2010 Edition
»
19-06-2010
NCSE Guidelines
NCSE operational
guidelines for principals of special schools in relation to the
allocation of teaching and SNA resources for the 2010/11
academic year were issued this week via the local SENO.
NCSE
Guidelines 2010/11 »
18-06-2010
Useful Forms
Schools may find the
following DES forms (which are also available in the
Appointments Section of this website) useful at this time of
year.
18-06-2010
Whole-School Evaluation
DES has issued a
revised Guide to Whole-School Evaluation in Primary Schools.
Click on the link below to download a copy.
Guide to Whole-School Evaluation (Revised) »
15-06-2010
Newsletter: June 2010
The latest
edition of the CPSMA Newsletter has been posted to schools.
Click on the link below to view an
on-line copy.
Download Newsletter »
14-06-2010
Teacher
Application Forms
Agreement has been
reached between INTO, CPSMA/CIBE and DES in relation to a
standard Application Form for Primary Teachers. Schools may use
this form as an alternative to seeking a Curriculum Vitae. The
form is available to download from the INTO and CPSMA websites,
and can also be uploaded to a web-based advertisement for a
post.
Click here to download the application
form (English Version) »
Brúigh anseo chun an Fhoirm Iarratais a
íoslódáil (Leagan Gaeilge) »
14-06-2010
Are you interested in
Education Leadership?
The Post-Graduate
Diploma in Education Leadership (Tóraíocht) offered by LDS/NUIM has
extended its closing date to July 9th, 2010. The programme
will be delivered in NUI Maynooth and education centres in
Blackrock, Cork, Portlaoise and Carrick on Shannon.
Applications on-line at
www.pac.ie
For further
information visit
www.lds21.ie or
www.nuim.ie or email
lhogan@lds21.ie or
Marie.Hanley@nuim.ie.
Tel: Linda @ 065 684 5505: Marie @ 01 708 3471
14-06-2010
Book Grants
It has been
confirmed by DES that the book grant is to be reinstated.
It will issue to schools in June.
The grant will be
€11 per pupil generally and will be €21 per pupil in schools in
the DEIS initiative. Click on the circular number to download.
14-06-2010
Recent DES Circulars
The circulars below
have been issued by DES. Click on the circular number to
download.
-
0031/2010:
Teacher Registration and Qualifications
-
0032/2010:
Brief Absences for Special Needs Assistants In
Recognised Primary and Post-Primary Schools
-
0033/2010:
Sick Leave Scheme for Special Needs Assistants in
Recognised Primary and Post-Primary Schools
-
0034/2010: Introduction of Occupational Health Strategy for Special
Needs Assistants in Recognised Primary and Post-Primary
Schools
-
0035/2010: Unpaid Leave for Registered Teachers in Recognised
Primary and Post-Primary Schools
-
038/2010:
Staffing arrangements and the role of the National Council for
Special Education
-
0040/2010 :
Teacher Recruitment Registration and Qualifications
-
0043/2010:
Restoration of Book Grants
27-05-2010
Christian Copyright
Licensing International
It has come to the
attention of CPSMA that schools have received
correspondence from Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI)
requesting a licence fee for the reproducing of songs for times of
Collective Worship. CPSMA has taken the matter up directly with
CCLI. Schools should await the outcome of these discussions in
regard to licence fees in this context. It should be noted CCLI has
confirmed that a licence is not required for the reproducing of
words and music of hymns and songs that are in the public domain.
20-05-2010
Re-organisation of Primary Payroll
To provide a
more efficient and effective service to schools and teachers
and to standardise the modus of operation on all the
payrolls DES are re-organising the operation of Primary
Teachers Payroll Section from the 24th May. From that date
the section will be organised by school roll number rather
than county.
To ensure that all teachers are aware of the position the
text below is being inserted in the payslip that they will
receive on the 9th June.
To facilitate the introduction of the change, Primary
Teachers Payroll Section will not be taking phone calls on
Wednesday next 19th May.
The volume of
calls being received by DES is still impacting on the
ability of the Payroll division to deal with the accurate
and timely payment of teachers and non teaching staff. To
ensure that staff in payroll division have adequate time to
check critical payroll reports and monitor the payrolls it
is necessary to restrict telephone access on Tuesday and
Wednesday mornings. In future the payroll division will only
be taking telephone queries on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
after 2.30pm.
20-05-2010
Press Release
CPSMA increases its
support for Catholic Primary Schools.
Read Press
Release
»
13-05-2010
CPSMA Membership 2009/2010
The CPSMA membership fee
for each school for 2009/10 is now due. It would be much
appreciated if payment by cheque could be made on or before
Friday 30th May 2010. Payment will be acknowledged and a receipt
will be issued for school records on completion and return of
the membership form.
Download Membership Form »
Download
List of CPSMA Services »
Download Membership Rates
»
04-05-2010
Motion Picture Licensing Company
It has come to the
attention of CPSMA that schools have received correspondence
from the Motion Picture Licensing Company (MPLC) requesting a
licence fee for the showing of pre-recorded films etc. CPSMA
has taken the matter up directly with MPLC. Schools should
await the outcome of these discussions in regard to licence fees
in this context.
27-04-2010
Employment Contracts
Each person who
is employed by the BoM for a period of one month or more of
continuous service must have a written statement of terms
and conditions of employment and s/he must receive this
within 2 months of the start of employment. While strictly
speaking, a written statement of terms and conditions of
employment does not have to be in the format of a contract,
most employers use written contracts of employment. The
contract templates, which are available for download in the
Appointments Section, incorporate the necessary legal
requirements.
Click
here, or choose
Appointments in the Menu on the left to view the
appointments page.
27-04-2010
CPSMA Newsletter - April 2010
The latest
edition of the CPSMA Newsletter has been posted to schools.
Click on Newsletters in the Menu on the left to view an
on-line copy.
22-04-2010
Summer Works Scheme 2010
A
total of 1,480 primary and post primary schools
across the country have been listed for the 2010
Summer Works Scheme.
The
Summer Works Scheme covers projects in school
buildings such as gas, electrical and mechanical
works, roof replacements and repairs, window
replacement, toilet upgrades, structural
improvements and access works.
Download List of Schools
»
31-03-2010
Learning Support/Resource Teacher & Resource Teacher Posts
DES has released
Circular 0025/2010 in relation to arrangements for the 2010/2011
School Year for Learning Support/Resource Teacher
(LS/RT) and Resource Teacher (RT) Posts (full and part-time). Also included with the Circular are
-
Form LS/RT 1 – Should be completed for all full time
posts. Where cluster arrangements apply please include
detail for all schools involved in the cluster.
-
Form LS/RT 2 –
Part-time post (s) – to be completed in respect of any
part time hours remaining after each full time post has
been assigned 25 approved teaching hours per week.
Download
Circular 0025/2010 »
29-03-2010
Panel Notices 2010
Please note the
important changes to the way the Redeployment Panel is operating
this year as previously advised to all schools. Also included
are the timetable of Key Actions for the Panels which is part of
the Staffing Schedule
(Circular 0021/2010). Boards are urged to familiarise
themselves with the arrangements contained in the circular.
Note: The
up-to-date panel list for each diocese may be obtained by contacting
Primary Allocations Section,
DES. Members are advised to contact their diocesan office in the
first instance.
Download Circular 0021/2010
»
25-03-2010
Conclusion of Swine Flu Vaccination
Programme
The Health Service
Executive (HSE) is ending its Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccination
programme on 31st March 2010, which includes the vaccination
progamme of school children within the school setting. The HSE
have also advised that it is resuming its MMR national schools
vaccination programme and that arrangements for the resumption
of this programme are being made locally.
The HSE
has advised that, although the vaccination progamme
is ending, hand and respiratory hygiene remains an
important public health issue as a means of
preventing the spread of infection in schools. To
this end an information sheet to promote and deliver
best practice hand and respiratory hygiene standards
is now available.
This information sheet, along with details on the
conclusion of the school vaccination programme can
be found in Department of Education and Science
Circular 0027/2010.
Download Circular 0027/2010 »
16-03-2010
MA in Christian
Leadership in Education
Mary Immaculate
College has recently announced details of a new
professional qualification programme entitled MA in Christian
Leadership in Education.
The two year
programme, which is being subsidised by the St. Stephen’s Green
Trust, a funding agency for Catholic charities, will lead to a
professional qualification with a strong theology component for
those working in the education sector such as school principals,
members of boards of management, members of the trusts
established by the various denominational bodies in Ireland,
etc. Successful applicants will be eligible for grant aid.
Interested
applicants will have a First or Second Class Honours primary
degree. Applicants with equivalent qualifications or substantial
relevant experience may also be considered. Deadline for
completed applications is April 23rd 2010. Course commences June
2010. For further information and full list of entry
requirements click
here or contact
Admissions Office, Mary Immaculate College, South Circular Road,
Limerick on 061 204348 / 204929, email
admissions@mic.ul.ie
09-03-2010
SPHE in Schools
DES has published
Circular 0022/2010, entitled: Social, Personal and Health
Education (SPHE): Best Practice Guidelines for Primary Schools.
Download Circular 0022/2010
»
06-03-2010
CPSMA Annual Conference 2010
The
Annual Conference of the CPSMA took place on Friday 5th
March and Saturday 6th March 2010. The conference
was
officially opened by the Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keefe T.D.
Read Minister's Speech »
Among the
addresses to the conference were
View
Powerpoint Slides »
02-03-2010
Staffing in 2010-2011
DES has published
Circular 0021/2010 which lays out the regulations governing the
appointment and retention of teachers in primary schools for the
school year 2010/2011.
Download Circular 0021/2010
»
25-02-2010
Special Educational Needs Support 2010/2011
The NCSE has published Circular
01/2010 in relation to the
application process for Special
Educational Needs (SEN) support in
the next school year. In summary,
the guidelines are:
-
school submits leavers form to
SENO by 22 March 2010.
-
SENO issues letter confirming
minimum level of resources that
will carry over for September
2010.
-
School submits applications to
SENO by 21 May 2010. All
application and the SNA school
profile forms may be downloaded
from the NCSE website.
-
SENO processes applications and
confirms total resource
allocation to school.
These guidelines and forms are
available on the NCSE website at
www.ncse.ie.
Download NCSE
Circular 01/2010
»
18-02-2010
New Schools division announced by DES
Schools' Division is the new collective title
for the former DES Primary and Post Primary
Administration and Primary and Post Primary
Teacher Allocations sections. Below is a
document listing the main services now covered
by Schools' Division along with contact details.
Schools’ Division within the DES is responsible
for
-
issuing, typically by way of circulars,
guidance and direction to schools on
various governance and policy issues
including those relating to the terms
and conditions of employment for school
staff, and
Download Details of
Schools Division Services »
17-02-2010
Building Projects Announced
The
Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe
TD, has announced details of 52 school building
projects which can go to tender and construction as
part of the Government's €579 million school
building programme.
Projects going to tender &
construction »
Projects authorised to prepare
tender documents »
Design team by quarter
»
12-02-2010
ICT Grants - Update
The DES
have updated the FAQs that were issued with the ICT
grant letters in relation to the €22
million which were issued to primary schools for ICT
at the end of 2009.
More »
12-02-2010
Payment To Non Casual
Teachers for Exceptional School Closures
The following
information message is currently being displayed under
Headlines on the On Line Claims System: It has
been agreed that non casual teachers with contracts with
Boards of Management who were scheduled to be teaching on
the days that schools were closed due to weather conditions
in early January may be paid for those days. The claims
should be submitted as normal on OLCS.
10-02-2010
Public Health Alert
“Measles Outbreak” 2010
The Health Service
Executive (HSE) has been monitoring a significant outbreak of
measles which is occurring nationwide. So far this year
(05/02/10) there have been over 150 cases reported.
The HSE has asked
the Department of Education and Science to bring the attached
letter and information sheet on measles to the attention all
schools, colleges and centres of education.
The websites of the
HSE (www.hse.ie)
and the DES (www.education.ie)
will, as heretofore, provide any supplementary
information likely to be required by schools in their management
of this public health outbreak as and when it becomes available.
HSE Letter & Information Sheet
»
05-02-2010
Swine Flu Vaccination Programme
Click the link below
to view the the latest update issued by the Department of Health
and Children in relation to the swine flu vaccination programme.
Swine Flu Vaccination Update »
29-01-2010
Staffing Schedule 2010/2011 - 100 New Posts
The Department of
Education & Science has made available the draft staffing
schedule for 2010/11. The DES has also published a list of
schools that are being allocated additional teaching posts in
accordance with commitments in the renewed Programme for
Government. Letters are being issued to the schools which are
part of this programme.
Download Staffing Schedule
»
Download
List of Schools with New Posts »
25-01-2010
Recent DES Circulars
25-01-2010
Catholic Schools Week 2010
Catholic Schools Week 2010 is celebrated from January 31st to
February 6th. This week gives us the opportunity to acknowledge
and celebrate the tremendous contribution that our Catholic
Primary Schools make not just to Irish society but to the
mission of the Church. This year the theme for the week is
‘Catholic Schools – A Light for Every Generation’.
Resources have been issued to all schools and parishes and
Boards of Management are invited to become involved in Catholic
Schools Week. Click on the links below to download
resources for the week
Reflection
for Boards of Management and Staff
»
Resources for the Primary School Community
»
Acmhainní do Phobal na Bunscoile
»
Materiały dla społeczności szkół
ponadpodstawowych
»
23-01-2010
Making Up Days Lost
Click on the links
below for guidance in making up the days lost due to the recent
adverse weather conditions or other such circumstances.
General Guidance - CPSMA
»
DES Circular 11/95
»
22-01-2010
Central Statistics Office
Some schools will
have received a form from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
The form in question is the "Business Registers Inquiry"
Even though the form refers to the business register it
must be completed by schools. However schools only have
to complete Sections 4 and 8 of the form. In completing section
4 all that has to be inserted is "Primary School" and
section 8 is for insertion of the school's contact details.
14-01-2010
Primary Supervision Opt Out Form
Please note that the Primary supervision opt out
form in respect of the 2009/10 school year has
been placed on the DES website. The form is also
available for download below. The closing date
for receipt of the form is Friday, 12 February
2010.
Download Form
»
14-01-2010
Section 29 Appeals
Section 29 of the 1998
Education Act allows an appeal to be made to the Secretary General
of the Department of Education and Science in respect of a decision
by a Board of Management, or by a person acting on behalf of the
Board of Management
-
to refuse to enrol a
student in the school,
-
to permanently
exclude a student from the school, or
-
to suspend a student
from the school for a period which would bring the cumulative
period of suspension to 20 school days in any one school year,
06-01-2010
Weather Conditions and the Re-opening of Schools
Guidance for
Boards of Management, Chairpersons and Principals
-
Check that systems
within the school building are operational – water supply,
heat
etc
-
Check that safe
access and safe egress can be provided to the school premises –
clear or salt pathways etc as necessary
-
Text staff to inform
them that the school will be open
-
Monitor weather
forecast and AA road watch website for weather and road
conditions in your area or contact a reliable person living near
the school to get updates on the local situation if you live
some distance from the school yourself
-
On opening morning
arrive early and ensure that the necessary pathways are clear or
salted and check the heating and plumbing systems are working
satisfactorily
-
Leave a message on
the school’s answering machine / website / use the text a parent
facility updating the position for parents or others
-
If it is possible
for children to attend school in safety (remaining indoors
if necessary) the school should open
-
If conditions in
your area make it impossible to open the school e.g. sufficient
staff cannot arrive, impassable roads, heating system out of
action / water supply not operational /other reason – the Board
of Management makes a decision on health and safety grounds that
the school cannot open
-
The Board should
advise staff and parents as to when it expects to reopen the
school and how up to date information can be accessed
-
Record the facts and
happenings on the day(s) school will remain closed – reasons ,
who was in attendance etc
Among other issues, school
closures due to inclement conditions are dealt with in Circular
11/95.
Download Circular 11/95
»
21-12-2009
Child Protection and Catholic Schools
There has been much
comment and misinformation in recent days as to whether Catholic
schools are safe places for children. The welfare of our pupils
is of paramount concern to the Catholic Primary Schools
Management Association (CPSMA). The standards and procedures
used in Catholic schools to safeguard children are completely in
line with the guidelines issued by the Departments of Education
and Science and Health and Children.
CPSMA represents, supports and advises Boards of Management of
over 3,000 Catholic primary schools. Boards are made up of
representatives of the whole school community i.e. parents,
teachers, the wider community and the patron. Once appointed by
the patron, the board of management assumes the legal
obligations for managing the school, while the Principal is
responsible for its day to day running.
The responsibility for dealing with child protection rests with
the board. In 2001 the Department of Education & Science (DES)
issued Child Protection guidelines and procedures for primary
schools based on the Children First national guidelines from the
Department of Health and Children. There is a requirement in the
DES guidelines that each school should have a child protection
policy and appoint a Designated Liaison Person (DLP) who is
usually the principal. The DLP acts as a liaison person with the
Health Service Executive and An Garda Síochána. S/he is the
person responsible for reporting matters to these authorities.
The HSE and Gardaí are responsible for investigating allegations
of child abuse. The DLP may also consult the HSE for advice.
Principals and teachers are trained professionals and any person
- without exception - who comes to a school can only meet pupils
under the supervision of a teacher.
Schools operate in a prescribed legal environment e.g. under the
Education Act the Minister has a regulatory role and an
inspectorate has been put in place. The Department’s
inspectorate monitors the requirement that each school have its
own child protection policy.
With regard to child protection training, this is provided by
the DES for all school teaching staff through the Primary
Professional Development Service (PPDS) and the Child Abuse
Prevention Programme (CAPP). Training has been provided to
members of boards of management by CAPP as well as by the DES
which has made available a specific module on child protection.
Pupils are given training through the 'Stay Safe Programme'. The
'Relationship and Sexuality Education' programme is now an
integrated part of the schools' Social Personal and Health
Education curriculum.
Important issues have also been raised regarding the role of
patrons in primary schools. However the role of a patron is
limited. In all schools, irrespective of who is patron, complete
responsibility for running the schools rests with the board of
management. Persons or bodies can only act as patron if
recognised and registered as such by the Minister for Education
and Science under the Education Act. Thus no person can act as a
patron unless recognised by the Minister. All patrons are fully
accountable to the law of the land for the responsibilities that
they exercise for the schools under their patronage.
In summary, parents can be assured that their children are as
safe in Catholic schools as in any other school.
17-12-2009
CPSMA Newsletter - December 2009 Edition
The latest edition
(December 2009) of the CPSMA Newsletter has been posted to
schools. One copy has been sent to the Chairperson
and one to the Principal. Please photocopy and circulate to
all board members.
Download Newsletter
»
10-12-2009
Budget 2010
The main changes in
the non-pay elements of Budget 2010 which will affect primary
schools are summarised below. Percentages represent
increases/decreases from Budget 2009. Click on the links
below to view more detailed information.
|
Transport Services |
- 2% |
|
R&D Activities |
-
1% |
|
Teacher Education
(In
Career Development, Early Literacy,Substance Misuse and
Student Behaviour Taskforce) |
- 26% |
|
Expenses of NCCA |
- 20% |
|
National Council for
Special Education |
- 21% |
|
Educational Disadvantage
(Dormant Accounts Funding) |
- 62% |
|
Occupational Health
Strategy for First/Second Level Teachers |
- 18% |
|
Schools ICT Activities |
+ 15% |
|
National Education Welfare
Board |
+ 3% |
|
Capitation Grants (Primary
Schools) |
+ 4% |
|
Other Grants and Services |
- 12% |
|
Special Education
Initiatives |
- 4% |
|
Building, Equipment and
Furnishing of National Schools |
-
27% |
Summary of Budget Policy Changes -
Education
»
Main Education
Features
»
Download Book of
Estimates
»
04-12-2009
Contacting DES Payroll Division
The payroll division
of the DES currently receives on average fourteen thousand five
hundred phone queries per week. A significant number of the
queries relate to
-
General
information that is available on the Department website,
-
Information on
inputting details on the On Line Claim System which the
on-line help facility available on the OLCS system covers,
-
Information on
salary which is available on the payslips issued
fortnightly.
The volume of calls
being received is impacting with the ability of the division to
deal with the accurate and timely payment of teachers and non
teaching staff.
To ensure that staff in payroll division have adequate time to
check critical payroll reports and monitor the payrolls it is
necessary to restrict telephone access each Tuesday. The
payroll division will only be taking telephone queries on
Tuesdays after 2.30pm in future.
23-11-2009
Circular 0067/2009: Payment of
Part-time Teachers
The above circular,
which deals with Rates of Pay for Part-Time Teachers and
Reconciliation of Payments for Part-time hours, has been issued to
schools.
Download Circular
0067/2009
»
18-11-2009
Circular 0066/2009: Pandemic
Vaccination Programme
The above circular,
which deals with the Vaccination Programme for All Children and
School Staff Against Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, is being issued to all
schools.
Download Circular 0066/2009
»
17-11-2009
CPSMA
Guidance re One Day Strike - 24
November 2009
In the event that the proposed One Day Strike on
24 November 2009 is proceeded with, boards of management are
advised to follow the following steps:
Position
of Staff on proposed Strike Day:
-
The Board should
ascertain by liaising with all employees – teachers, support
staff, secretaries caretakers bus escorts etc. - if they
intend taking part in the proposed One Day Strike on 24
November. It should be
ascertained from each one individually whether or not
he/she intends to come to work on 24 November.
Opening the school for STUDENTS:
-
Once the Board
has gathered above information, it should decide, taking
Health and Safety considerations and legislation into
account, whether or not it has sufficient staff to open the
school to STUDENTS.
-
As soon as
possible. the Board should notify parents whether or not the
school will be open to STUDENTS on 24 November.
Opening the
school for EMPLOYEES:
-
Should one or
more employees decide he/she wishes to work as normal on the
24th, the Board must arrange (by a member of the Board if
possible) to open the school for access by EMPLOYEES
not involved in the Strike (otherwise it would be a
lockout situation on behalf of management).
Other
considerations:
-
School
management should retain a written record of who arrived for
work on 24 November.
OLCS - Recording of Absence on
Nov 24th
»
Template Letter for Parents re Closure
»
13-11-2009
Joint Statement by the DES and the Catholic School Patrons after
their meeting in the DES
There was a
wide-ranging and constructive discussion about the different
issues that may arise in planning for the future development of
provision for primary education.
The Catholic School
Patrons and the Department agreed that it was essential to
engage in planning for change in a way that takes account of
demographics, settlement patterns and a diversity of provision
to accommodate parental choice.
In the context of
increasing diversity of provision, it was agreed that the next
step would be for the Department to use its databases and other
information to identify some locations where an implementation
framework could be developed in consultation with all
stakeholders.
There will be
ongoing contact between the Department and the Catholic School
Patrons to progress all of this work.
10-11-2009
Water Charges in Schools
Circular 0064/2009,
which has been issued to schools, deals with the implementation of
full metered water charges for schools from 1st January 2010.
Download Circular
»
10-11-2009
CPSMA Newsletter: November 2009 Edition
The latest edition
(November 2009) of the CPSMA Newsletter has been posted to
schools. One copy has been sent to the Chairperson
and one to the Principal. Please photocopy and circulate to
all board members.
Download Newsletter
»
04-11-2009
Solas AGM Special 2009
Click on the link to download the special 2009 AGM edition of
Solas. This edition includes the address by Bishop Leo O’Reilly,
Chair of the Bishops’ Commission for Education; the address by
Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe TD, and the
response to the Minister's address by Sr. Geraldine Costello,
Vice-Chairperson of CPSMA.
Download Solas AGM Special
»
04-11-2009
Volunteers in Schools
Each school owes a
duty of care to its pupils. The school has a duty to satisfy
itself that no person assisting in the school in any capacity
poses a threat to pupils or staff. The school must therefore
make certain enquiries of all volunteers assisting in any
capacity in the school. This can be done by issuing the
form below to each person working in a voluntary capacity with
the school.
Download Volunteer
Form
»
02-11-2009
New Technology Grants for 380
Schools
|
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, according to the Minister for Education and
Science, Batt O'Keeffe TD.
See Minister's Statement & List of Schools
»
|
29-10-2009
Energy Efficiency Scheme for Schools 2009
|
The DES are
currently offering grants to schools that require upgrading of
existing insulation levels within their school. This scheme
closes for application at midnight on Friday Nov 6th 2009.
Click
here for more
information on the scheme.
|
02-11-2009
Primary Grants Calendar 2009-10
|
Click
here to view the
DES calendar of grants to primary schools for the current school
year.
|
27-10-2009
Travel Pass Scheme for Teachers and SNAs
|
Please note that the
closing date for receipt of applications under this scheme is Friday
6th November 2009. Details of the scheme are laid out in
Circular 0062/2009.
Download Circular
0062/2009
»
|
27-10-2009
Summer Works Scheme 2010 - Water Conservation Measures
|
The Minister for
Education and Science has announced that part of the Summer Works
Scheme fund for 2010 will be set aside to provide for water
conservation measures in school. The purpose of these measures is to
enhance water conservation in existing school buildings by allowing
school authorities to apply for funding, on a once off basis, for
specified works. Details of the scheme are set out in Circular
0057/2009.
To apply for water
conservation works, applicants must complete Sections 4 and 5 of
Application Form SWS1 . The form only requires numerical details on
the types of water saving installations that a school will need.
Tenders etc. are not required at this stage.
The closing date for
receipt of all applications under the Summer Works Scheme is 27
November 2009.
Download Circular
0057/2009
»
Download Application
Form SWS 1
»
Download Guide for
School Authorities
»
|
15-10-2009
Recruitment of Temporary/Substitute Teachers
|
The DES wishes to
draw the attention of school authorities to a specific aspect of
a speech made by the Minister for Education and Science, Mr.
Batt O’Keeffe T.D. at the annual conference of AMCSS earlier
this year.
The Minister spoke of
the need to encourage schools to give priority to qualified teachers
and particularly newly or recently qualified teachers when making
appointments for periods of substitution cover. The Minister
acknowledged that due to the changes to teacher allocations for
schools it was inevitable that more teachers compared to recent
years would be seeking work.
In the new circumstances
that prevail, the Minister believes it is essential that every
opportunity is given for teachers who are not in work to teach and
is requesting school authorities to bear this in mind throughout the
current school year and wherever possible to give those teachers
priority over those who have retired.
You are requested to
ensure that copies of this information note are provided to the
appropriate representatives. This information note, and an
Irish translation, can be accessed on the Department’s website
www.education.ie.
|
12-10-2009
Renewed Programme for Government
|
CPSMA welcomes the
renewed programme for government, especially those aspects which
reposition education as a priority. The commitment to
maintaining the PTR without a further increase is an initial
step in the right direction. The maintenance of the capitation
grant at current levels, while it is welcome, is a recognition
that primary education has always been underfunded. CPSMA looks
forward to the proposal to make additional funding available to
provide grant assistance towards books for necessitous
children.
CPSMA notes with interest a commitment to implement some aspects
of the EPSEN Act. We welcomes an immediate increase of 28 in the
number of NEPS psychologists. We also note with interest that
the capital building programme will be progressed to satisfy the
demands for additional school places and to reduce the
dependence on prefabricated classrooms
Download Renewed Programme for Government
»
|
08-10-2009
Revised Procedures for Suspension
and Dismissal of Principals/Teachers
06-10-2009
Principal as Board Secretary
|
Under Circular
0079/2007, principals who act as secretary to their Board of
Management may be paid an allowance for this duty.
Principals
wishing to avail of the allowance should complete the
Application Form and have it signed by the Chairperson of the
Board of Management. On receipt of a completed
Application Form, payment of the allowance will be made on a
fortnightly basis with salary.
Download Application
Form
»
|
05-10-2009
Primary School 2009/2010 Census Forms
|
The census date is 30th
September 2009. Please do not return forms to DES Statistics
Section in advance of that date. Any forms emailed in advance
of September 30th will be returned. Please contact the
Statistics Section at (01) 889 2085 or
primarycensus@education.gov.ie
with any queries. Ordinary National Schools (including those with
special classes) should fill out the ORDINARY form. Special
Schools should fill out the special schools form. Click
here to go to the Form Download section of the
DES website.
|
05-10-2009
Cycle to Work Scheme
|
The Minister for
Education and Science wishes to inform management authorities of
Primary, Secondary, Community and Comprehensive Schools of the
introduction of the Cycle to Work Scheme. The scheme will apply to
teachers, special needs assistants, clerical officers, caretakers
and child care workers paid on payrolls operated by the Department
of Education and Science as paymaster. Circular 0054/2009 gives full
details of the scheme.
Download Circular
»
|
23-09-2009
Panel Rights for Teachers
|
The DES booklet
"Panel Rights for Teachers" (Updated Version - May 2005)
answers most of the commonly asked questions about the panel and
its operation.
Download "Panel
Rights for Teachers"
»
|
11-09-2009
CPSMA Newsletter: September 2009 Edition
|
The first edition
(September 2009) of the new CPSMA Newsletter is being posted to
schools this week. One copy is being sent to the Chairperson
and one to the Principal. Please photocopy and circulate to
all board members.
Download Newsletter
»
|
11-09-2009
Training Survey of Boards of Management
|
The DES and the
patron bodies wish to determine the level of engagement by
individual boards with the training modules which have been made
available. A questionnaire to ascertain this information is
being posted to boards. The completed questionnaire should
be returned to CPSMA in the enclosed envelope by Friday October
2nd 2009.
Download
Questionnaire
»
|
02-09-2009
Maternity/Adoptive Leave (Class A
PRSI)
|
Circular 0052/2009
contains
revised arrangements for teachers and SNAs liable for Class A PRSI
contributions who propose to take Maternity Leave / Adoptive Leave.
Download Circular
»
|
|
