ASTI secures important circulars on terms and conditions
The following circulars below have been published today by the Department of Education:
Opt-in to S&S Scheme for Principals and Deputy Principals
The purpose of this Circular is to notify schools of amendment to the Supervision and Substitution Scheme (S&S) to take effect from 1st September 2022 (or date of appointment, if later). Under the terms of this Circular, the option to opt back into the S&S Scheme is available to those who previously opted out from compulsory participation in the S&S Scheme under Circulars 0006/2014 or 0047/2017, and subsequently have been promoted to a permanent Principal or Deputy Principal position since opting out.
Partial Absences for Medical-Related Service Appointments for Post-Primary Teachers
The purpose of this Circular is to set out the agreed approach dealing with instances where a post primary teacher needs to take a brief, medical-related absence during class contact time with effect from the 2023/2024 school year.
In exceptional instances, a post primary teacher may, under this Circular, be granted a paid partial absence by the employer, for the purpose of attending a medical-related service appointment and avoid the need to be absent from the workplace for a full working day.
Partial absences apply only in respect of appointments for medical-related services and will be subject to a maximum time permitted of 2 school days.
Medical related service appointment will include appointment such as doctor, dentist, optician, hospital appointments and medical-related referrals. Such appointments may include, but are not limited to, blood tests, doctor/dental, physiotherapy, and hospital appointments.
Payment of PME/HDip Allowance to post primary teachers on the pre-2011 teacher pay scale
This circular sets out the agreed outcome in relation to the payment of the Professional Master of Education (PME)/Higher Diploma in Education Allowance (H.Dip in Ed) or an accepted equivalent qualification for teachers whose date of first qualified teaching service is between 5th December 2011 and 28th April 2013 during the process of the discontinuation of the PME/H.Dip in Ed allowance on 1 February 2012 and who were appointed to the existing pre-2011 pay scale.
