Circulars

Redeployment Arrangements at Primary Level for Surplus Permanent and CID Holding Teachers

This document is set out in FAQ format and is designed to assist school management, teachers and Panel Operators with the operation of the redeployment process at primary level.

Circular 0013/2023: Post-Graduate Diploma Programme of Continuing Professional Development For Special Education Teachers, 2023/2024

In order to assist all schools and educational services in meeting the needs of students with special educational needs, a post-graduate diploma programme of continuing professional development will be offered to teachers in September 2023.

Circular 0007/2023: Revision of Teacher Salaries under Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021-2023 (“The Agreement”)

The Minister for Education wishes to inform managerial authorities and teachers of revised rates of salary and allowances for teachers as provided for in “Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021-2023” as reviewed.

Circular 0010/2023: Revision of Salaries of School Secretaries and School Maintenance Staff in Community and Comprehensive Schools under The Building Momentum Pay Agreement effective from 01 March 2023

The Minister for Education wishes to inform management authorities of revised rates of salary and allowances of School Secretaries and School Maintenance Staff in Community and Comprehensive Schools with effect from 1 March 2023…

Circular 0006/2023: Staffing arrangements in Primary Schools for the 2023/24 school year

The purpose of this circular is to inform all primary school management and staff of the staffing arrangements for primary schools for the 2023/24 school year.

Circular 0006/2023: FAQs on Staffing arrangements in Primary Schools for the 2023/24 school year

This document should be read in the context of Circular 0006/2023.

Circular 0078/2022 – Bereavement Leave Scheme for Registered Teachers employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools

The purpose of this Circular is to set out the revised provisions under the Bereavement Leave Scheme, which may be granted by the employer to a teacher, in the event of the death of their relative.

Circular 0074/2022 – Panel access for fixed-term/temporary (this includes substitute) and part-time teachers to the Supplementary Redeployment Panel for the 2023/24 school year

The purpose of this circular is to set out the arrangements for access to the supplementary redeployment panels for the 2023/24 school year for eligible registered primary teachers in fixed-term/temporary positions (this includes substitute positions) and part-time positions in recognised primary schools.

Circular 0050/2022 – Parent’s Leave Scheme for Registered Teachers employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools

The Minister for Education, pursuant to the power contained in Section 24 of the Education Act (as amended), directs employers to implement the regulations and procedures, as stated, for eligible registered teachers employed in approved teaching posts funded by monies provided by the Oireachtas.

Circular 0044/2022 – Revision of Working Hours in Recognised Primary, Voluntary Secondary Schools in the Free Education Scheme

Implementation of the Independent Hours Body Recommendations in relation to the Haddington Road Agreement Hours for certain employees in Recognised Primary, Voluntary Secondary Schools in the Free Education Scheme.

Circular 36/2022 – Revision of Salaries and Annual Leave arrangements for School Secretaries employed in recognised primary and post primary schools

The purpose of this Circular is to inform Schools of the agreement on terms and conditions for school secretaries, as agreed following discussions between the parties, and to seek the provision of certain information so as to give effect to those arrangements.

Circular 36/2022 – Secretaries and Caretakers: Frequently Asked Questions

Secretaries and Caretakers: FAQs in respect of the Revision of Salaries and Annual Leave arrangements for School Secretaries employed in recognised primary and post primary schools.

Circular 0040/2022 – Working Arrangements for Certain Higher Risk employees of Recognised Primary and Post Primary schools in the Free Education Scheme and of ETBs

The Minister for Education directs employers to implement the terms in this Circular for certain employees of recognised Primary and Post Primary schools in the Free Education Scheme and in Community National Schools under the patronage of ETBs, employed using grant funding provided by this Department.

Working Hours of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs)

Further to recent discussions at the SNA IR Forum it is understood that Fórsa will be outlining their position to members regarding how certain aspects of SNA working hours are being managed by Schools.

SET and SNA Allocations to Schools 2023/2024

SET and SNA Allocations to Schools 2023/2024 are now available on the NCSE Website.

Circular 0026/2023: Recruitment of SNAs – Supplementary Assignment Arrangements for the 2023/2024 school year

This circular replaces and supersedes circular 0031/2022. The purpose of this circular is to notify managerial authorities, Chief Executives of Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and SNAs of supplementary assignment arrangements for SNAs for the 2022/23 school year.

Circular 0018/2023: Special Needs Assistant Allocation 2023/24

The purpose of this Circular is to advise schools of arrangements for the allocation of special needs assistant (SNA) support to mainstream classes in primary and post primary schools for the 2023/24 school year.

SNAs – Have your say on Learning and Development

The Department of Education’s new SNA Workforce Development unit is reviewing learning and development for SNAs. A series of focus groups forms phase 1 of this review. 

Circular 0008/2023: Revision of Salaries for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) under Building Momentum Pay Agreement with effect from 01 March 2023

The Minister for Education wishes to inform managerial authorities and SNAs of revised rates of salary of certain staff as with effect from 1 March as provided for in “Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021-2023” as reviewed. This circular sets out the increases due from 1 March 2023 as an amendment to The Agreement.

Working Hours of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs)

SNA contracts of employment has been designed to be flexible to cater for the different spectrum of working hours across all the various schools including primary, post-primary and special schools.

Circular 0079/2022 – Bereavement Leave Scheme for Special Needs Assistants employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools

Circular Letter 0079/2022 – The purpose of this Circular is to set out the revised provisions under the Bereavement Leave Scheme, which may be granted by the employer to an SNA, in the event of the death of their relative.

Public Service (Croke Park) Agreement – Special Needs Assistants

Circular Number 0071/2011 – A Departmental letter issued on 1 February 2011 providing for immediate and full implementation of two aspects of the Public Service Agreement relating to SNAs.

Contract of Employment for Special Needs Assistants employed in Second Level Schools.

Circular Letter SNA 12/05 – Revised arrangements have now been agreed regarding the terms and conditions of Special Needs Assistants at post-primary level.

Parent’s Leave Scheme for Special Needs Assistants employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools

This Circular supersedes Circular 0035/2021 titled ‘Parent’s Leave Scheme for Special Needs Assistants employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools’.

Bus Escorts Scheme

The Bus Escort Scheme is operated by the School Transport Section of the Department of Education…

Circular 0012/2023: Graduate Certificate in the Education of Pupils on the Autism Spectrum (AS) for teachers working with Pupils on the AS in Special Schools, Special Classes or as Special Education Teachers in mainstream Primary and Post-Primary Schools, 2023/2024

This programme will aim to provide substantial theoretical and practical professional development for teachers working with pupils on the AS and, thereby, will be in a position to contribute to the school’s overall capacity in this area.

Circular 0001/2023 – Advice on the use of assessment instruments/tests for Guidance or for additional and special educational needs (SEN) in post-primary school.

This Circular provides advice to recognised post-primary schools on the appropriate use of assessment instruments/tests for Guidance and for additional and special educational needs (SEN). The Circular applies to all instances when a standardised test, either ability or achievement, is used.

Circular 0075/2022 – Commencement of the Education (Provision in respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Act 2022 and Commencement of remaining sections of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018

The Department of Education wishes to bring to the attention of school authorities the introduction of and commencement of the Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Act 2022 and the commencement of the remaining sections of the Education Act 1998 as introduced by the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. These are sections 67 to 70.

Circular 0075/2022 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document

FAQ document in respect of the Commencement of the Education (Provision in respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Act 2022 and Commencement of remaining sections of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018

NCSE – Guidelines for Setting Up and Organising Special Classes

A practical guide for primary and post primary principals opening a new special class.

Report of Education Needs for the Purpose of the Assessment of Need Disability Act 2005

The aim of this information note is to inform schools of the recent changes to the AON process and roles and responsibilities of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and schools.

Arrangements for the implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle with particular reference to the school year 2023/2024

This circular supersedes Information Note 11/2022 and Circular 59/2021. It sets out the arrangements now governing the implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle 2015, with particular reference to the school year 2023/2024.

COVID-19: Changes to Special Leave with Pay from 22nd May 2023 for Teachers and SNAs employed in recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools

This Information Note notifies employers of changes to COVID-19 Special Leave with Pay (SLWP) for the public service, as directed by the DPER. These changes are to take account of the recent changes to self-isolation period requirements in line with current public health advice.

Schoolbooks Grant Guidelines for Primary and Special Schools

The Free Primary Schoolbooks Scheme in primary schools will remove the cost from families of funding schoolbooks for children and young people enrolled in recognised primary schools and special schools.

Free Primary School Books Scheme: Quick Reference Guide for Schools

Free Primary School Books Scheme: Quick Reference Guide for Schools

Circular 0016/2023: Policy on Gaeltacht Education – Invitation to Primary Schools in Gaeltacht Language-Planning Areas to Consider Joining the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme

The purpose of this Circular is to notify school authorities of an opportunity which is being provided by the Department of Education (Department) to schools in Gaeltacht language-planning areas to join the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme (Scheme) in 2023.

Circular 0017/2023: Launch of the Primary Curriculum Framework

The Primary Curriculum Framework was launched by the Minister on the 9th March 2023. This Framework is for all primary and special schools and will guide teachers and school leaders in their work to enhance learning, teaching and assessment for all children.

Circular 0077/2022 – Once-off cost of living measure to support increased school running costs

The purpose of this circular is to set out the arrangements in relation to the payment of the once-off cost of living measure to support increased school running costs announced as part of the cost of living measures in Budget 2023.

School Self-Evaluation: Next Steps September 2022 – June 2026

Circular 0056/2022 – This Circular sets out the requirements in respect of the next cycle of SSE which begins in September 2022.

Exemptions from the Study of Irish – Revising Circular 0052/2019

Circular 0054/2022: This Circular results from the initial review of the implementation of circular 0052/2019 which is hereby withdrawn. Existing exemptions from the study of Irish granted under previous circulars and held by pupils will continue to apply until the end of their post-primary education.