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Circulars

Circulars 2021

SEC Circular S90/2021 Important Announcement in Relation to Oral Tests in Irish and Modern Foreign languages and the Music Practical Examinations for Leaving Certificate 2022
DE Circular 0065/2021 Exceptional Minor Works Grant Funding for Post-Primary Schools with a particular focus on supporting enhanced ventilation
DE Circular 0063/2021 Final closing date of 30 April 2022 for receipt of eligible qualification allowance applications (as a Result of the Findings of the Adjudicator under Claim 447/19)
DE Circular 0062/2021 Appeal System for Permanent Principal and Deputy Principal Appointments
DE Circular 0060/2021 Grant Scheme for EU NRRP Funding to schools to address the digital divide, and learners at risk of educational disadvantage
DE Circular 0059/2021 Arrangements for the implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle with particular reference to the school year 2021/22
DE Circular 0056/2021 Revision of Teacher Salaries with effect from 1 October 2021
DE Circular 0055/2021 Revision of Salaries for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) with effect from 1 October 2021
DE Circular 0053/2021 Revision of Salaries Clerical Officer and Caretakers 78 79 schemes with effect from 1 October 2021
DE Circular 0049/2021 Home Tuition Grant Scheme in respect of Maternity Related Absences
DE Circular 0048/2021 Home Tuition Grant Scheme for children without a school place
DE Circular 0047/2021 Guidelines for the use of Reduced School Days in Schools
Download Guidelines here: The Use of Reduced School days. Guidelines for schools on recording and notification of the use of Reduced School days
DE Circular 0045/2021 Covid Learning and Support Scheme
DE Circular 0042/2021 Coronavirus (COVID-19): Arrangements for Teachers and Special Needs Assistants employed in recognised Primary and Post Primary schools
DE Circular 0040/2021 Partial Return to Work for Special Needs Assistants employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools
DE Circular 0039/2021 Extended Breastfeeding Breaks for Special Needs Assistants employed In Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools
DE Circular 0038/2021 Home Tuition Grant Scheme 2021/2022. Special Education Component
DE Circular 0037/2021 Revision of 2011 Entrant Teacher Salaries with effect From 1 March 2021 - Application of Additional Incremental Skips
DE Circular 0035/2021 Parent’s Leave Scheme for Special Needs Assistants employed In Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools
DE Circular 0034/2021 Updated Entry Criteria for the Gaeltacht Entry route to the (English Medium) Primary Bachelor of Education
DE Circular 0033/2021 Arrangements for Inspectorate Engagement with Post-Primary Schools 2021/2022 School Year
DE Circular 0030/2021 Parent’s Leave Scheme For Registered Teachers employed In Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools
DE Circular 0029/2021 Special Needs Assistant Allocations for the 2021/22 School Year for Mainstream Classes in Primary and Post Primary Schools
DE Circular 0028/2021 Cost Limits for Post-primary School Buildings
DE Circular 0026/2021 Recruitment of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) - Supplementary Assignment Arrangements for the 2021/2022 school year
DE Circular 0024/2021 Revised Payment Mechanism for Hourly-Paid Bus Escorts with effect from the commencement of the 2021/2022 Academic Year Cessation of “Rolled-up Holiday Pay”
DE Circular 0021/2021 Coronavirus (COVID-19): Arrangements for Teachers and Special Needs Assistants employed in recognised Primary and Post Primary schools
DE Circular 0011/2021 Post-Graduate Certificate/Diploma Programme of Continuing Professional Development for Teachers working with Students with Special Educational Needs (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
DE Circular 0010/2021 Teacher Fee Refund Scheme 2020
DE Circular 0009/2021 Post-Graduate Diploma Programme of Continuing Professional Development For Special Education Teachers, 2021/2022
DE Circular 0008/2021 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, 2021/2022
DE Circular 0004/2021 Prescribed Material for the Leaving Certificate English Examination in 2023
DE Circular 0002/2021 Arrangements for Inspectorate Engagement with Post-Primary Schools And Centres for Education January – June 2021

Circulars 2020

DES Circular 0082/2020 Revision of Schools Support Staff Funding Grant Rates for Voluntary Secondary Schools in the Free Education Scheme
DES Circular 0081/2020 Revised Procedures for the Upgrading of Grade III Secretary Posts in Schools to Grade IV Posts (Revision to Section 7 of Circular F39/1997
DES Circular 0077/2020 Grant Scheme for ICT Infrastructure – 2020/2021 School Year
DES Circular 0076/2020 Arrangements for the Implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle with particular reference to school year 2020/21
DES Circular 0075/2020 Provisional Results of Calculated Grades for Leaving Certificate Applied Year 1 2020
DES Circular 0074/2020 Arrangements for schools to have in place appropriate contingency measures to ensure that schools are prepared to continue to support teaching and learning in the event of a partial or full closure of schools arising from Public Health advice
DES Circular 0070/2020 Curriculum and assessment related developments at Senior Cycle with particular reference to school years 2020/21 and 2021/22 and the postponement of implementation of revised specifications
DES Circular 0069/2020 New Arrangements and Procedures for Appeals under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 effective from 12 November 2020 onwards
DES Circular 0068/2020 Emergency Works Grant Scheme Migration to On-Line Applications and Minor Revisions of Scheme
DES Circular 0067/2020 Advice on the use of assessment instruments/tests for Guidance or for additional and special educational needs (SEN) in post-primary schools Circular Letter 0067/2020 (Revising Circular 0058/2019)
DES Circular 0064/2020 Revision of Salaries Clerical Officer and Caretakers 78 79 schemes with effect from 01 October 2020
DES Circular 0062/2020 Revision of Salaries of all staff paid directly by a recognised school or ETB with effect from 01 October 2020
DES Circular 0061/2020 Revision of Salaries for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) with effect from 01 October 2020
DES Circular 0060/2020 Revision of Teacher Salaries with effect from 1 October 2020
DES Circular 0059/2020 Provisional Results of Calculated Grades for Leaving Certificate, Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and Leaving Certificate Applied 2020
DES Circular 0054/2020 Coronavirus (COVID-19): Arrangements for certain employees of recognised Primary and Post Primary schools in the Free Education Scheme and of ETBs, employed using grant funding
DES Circular 0053/2020 Coronavirus (COVID-19): Additional Supervision Arrangements for the 2020/21 School Year
DES Circular 0046/2020 COVID-19 operational supports for the full return to school
DES Circular 0041/2020 Arrangements for Inspection and School Self-evaluation for the 2020/2021 School Year
DES Circular 0039/2020 Calculated Grades Aides 2020 (Following the Examinations Aide model): Assistance for schools during the Calculated Grades Model
DES SIU 0001/2020 Information Note on changed advertising procedures for Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) Coordinators in recognised schools as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic
DES Circular 0037/2020 Implementation of Calculated Grades Model For Leaving Certificate 2020 - Guide for Schools on Providing Estimated Percentage Marks and Class Rank Orderings
DES Circular 0035/2020 Prescribed Material for the Junior Cycle Examination in 2022 and Leaving Certificate Examination in 2022
DES Circular 0034/2020 Revision of Application of Additional Increments awarded in relation to New Entrants under the Public Services Stability Agreement 2018 - 2020
DES Circular  0033/2020 Revision of 2011 Entrant Teacher Salaries with effect from 1 March 2020 – Application of Additional Increments
DES Circular 0030/2020 Special Needs Assistant Allocations for the 2020/21 School Year for Mainstream Classes in Primary and Post Primary Schools
DES Circular 0027/2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Temporary assignment arrangements for certain staff in the education and training sector

See also:
DES Circular 0017/2020 Guidance on the Junior Cycle Subject Learning and Assessment Review Process
DES Circular 0016/2020 Framework for Junior Cycle – History in Schools from September 2020 onwards
DES 0011/2020 Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022: Post-primary schools in Gaeltacht language-planning areas participating in the Gaeltacht school recognition scheme: Ongoing implementation of the Scheme (2020 - 2021)
DES Circulars 0007/2020 Commencement of certain Sections of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018
DES Circular 0006/2020

Diversification of Foreign Languages Provision in the Curriculum. Additional allocation of hours for post-primary schools introducing lesser taught and new foreign languages in the school year 2020-2021 under Languages Connect - Ireland's Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017-2026. Revising Circular 0031/2019
DES Circular 0005/2020 Standardisation of the School Year in respect of Primary & Post-Primary Schools for the years 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23
DES Circular 0004/2020 Work Stoppage by TUI Member Teachers - 4 February 2020
DES Circular 0002/2020 Prescribed Material for the Leaving Certificate English Examination in 2022
DES Circular 0001/2020 Revisions to the Leaving Certificate Arabic interim syllabus and the introduction of a revised specification for Leaving Certificate Classical Studies.

Circulars 2019

DES Circular 0072/2019 Revised Rates and Thresholds of the Additional Superannuation Contribution with Effect from 1 January 2020 for members of Standard Accrual Pension Scheme, Fast Accrual Pension Scheme and Single Pension Scheme.
DES Circular 0071/2019 Copyright and other Intellectual Property Law Provisions Act 2019 - Matters for Commencement regarding Education
DES Circular 0060/2019 Sick Leave Scheme for Special Needs Assistants employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools
DES Circular 0054/2019 Leave Schemes for Registered Teachers employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools
DES Circular 0053/2019 Exemptions from the study of Irish - Post Primary. Revising circular M10/94
DES Circular 0051/2019 Recruitment and Appointment Procedures for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs)
DES Circular 0047/2019 Revision of Salaries with effect from 1 September 2019 for Clerical Officers and Caretakers employed in National Schools under the 1978/79 Scheme for Clerical Officers employed in Post Primary Schools under the 1978 Scheme
DES Circular 0040/2019 Fair Processing Notice to explain how the personal data of students in postprimary schools on the Post-Primary Online Database (P-POD) will be recorded, processed and shared
DES Circular 0037/2019 Payment of the Special Educational Needs allowance to current holders who commence Job-sharing Change to conditions – Amendment to Circular 0135/2006
DES Circular 0036/2019 Guidelines on access to PLC for certain participants in the asylum process for the 2019/20 academic year
DES Circular 0035/2019 Changes to the Career Break Scheme for Special Needs Assistants employed in recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools - Employment while on Career Break
DES Circular 0031/2019 Diversification Of Foreign Languages Provision In The Curriculum. Revised in DES Circular 0006/2020
DES Circular 0027/2019 Multi-Annual Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2020 Onwards. Scheme of Capital Grants for Small/Medium Scale Works in recognised Primary and Post-Primary Schools
DES Circular 0023/2019 Prescribed Material for the Leaving Certificate English Examination in 2021
DES Circular 0022/2019 Revision of 2011 Entrant Teacher Salaries with effect from 1 March 2019 – Application of Additional Increments under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013-2020 (Haddington Road Agreement/Lansdowne Road Agreement)
DES Circular 0021/2019 Application of additional increments awarded in relation to New Entrants under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 – 2020 (Haddington Road Agreement/ Lansdowne Road Agreement)
DES Circular 0018/2019 Grant Scheme for ICT Infrastructure– 2018/2019 School Year
DES Circular 0015/2019 Scheme to Share Teachers between Recognised Post-Primary Schools for the 2019/2020 School Year
DES Circular 0011/2019 Invitation to Primary and Post-Primary Schools in Gaeltacht Language-Planning Areas to consider joining the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme in 2019: Participation to Implementation (May 2019 - August 2020)
DES Circular 0010/2019 Post-Primary Schools in Gaeltacht Language-Planning Areas Participating in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme: Next Implementation Phase (May 2019 - August 2020)
DES Circular 0008/2019 Special Education Teaching Allocation
DES Circular 0001/2019 Special Leave for Teachers who are members of Voluntary Search and Rescue Organisations

Circulars 2018

DES Circular 0077/2018 Revision of Pay Rates in 2019 for Grant funded School Secretaries, Caretakers and Cleaners employed by the Boards of Management of Voluntary Secondary Schools in the Free Education Scheme and associated increases in Grant funding for same
DES Circular 0075/2018 Revision of Salaries of All Staff Paid Directly by a Recognised School or ETB with Effect from 1 January 2019
DES Circular 0072/2018 Revision of Salaries with effect from 1 January 2019 for Clerical Officers and Caretakers Employed in National Schools Under the 1978/79 Scheme and Clerical officers Employed in Post Primary Schools under the 1978 Scheme
DES Circular 0071/2018 Revision of Salaries for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) with effect from 1 January 2019
DES Circular 0069/2018 Clarification in respect of Circular Letter 0036/2018 (Prescribed material for Junior Cycle Irish)
DES Circular 0068/2018 Clarification in respect of Circular Letter 0035/2018 (Prescribed material for Junior Cycle Irish Specification for Junior Cycle Irish)
DES Circular 0057/2018 Revision of Salaries of all staff paid directly by a recognised school or ETB with effect from 1 October 2018
DES Circular 0049/2018 Revised Procedures for Suspension and Dismissal of Teachers and Principals
DES Circular 0045/2018 HSE Post-Primary School Vaccination Programme 2018/2019
DES Circular 0043/2018 Best practice guidance for post primary schools in the use of programmes and/or external facilitators in promoting wellbeing consistent with the Department of Education and Skills’ Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice
DES Circular 0038/2018 Consultation with the School Community Including Teachers, Students and Parents on the Use of Smart Phones and Tablet Devices in Schools
DES Circular 0037/2018 Prescribed material for Junior Cycle English
(For the student cohorts commencing Junior Cycle in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and presenting for examination in 2021, 2022 and 2023)
DES Circular 0036/2018 Prescribed material for Junior Cycle Irish. Specification for Junior Cycle Irish: English-medium Schools (L2)
(For students presenting for Final Examination in 2020, 2021 and 2022)
DES Circular 0035/2018 Prescribed material for Junior Cycle Irish. Specification for Junior Cycle Irish: Irish-medium schools (L1)
(For students presenting for Final Examination in 2020, 2021 and 2022)
DES Circular 0033/2018 Business Syllabus – Leaving Certificate. Revised arrangements for the updating of legislation
DES Circular 0030/2018 Adjudication Process – Contracts of Indefinite Duration
DES Circular 0029/2018 Secondment Scheme for Registered Teachers
DES Circular 0028/2018 Prescribed Material for the Junior Certificate/Junior Cycle Examination in 2020 and Leaving Certificate Examination in 2020
DES Circular 0024/2018 Prescribed Material for the Leaving Certificate English Examination in 2020
DES Circular 0018/2018 Management of Safety & Health, including Fire Safety, in Primary and Post Primary schools
DES Circular 0017/2018 Application of measures in accordance with Public Service Stability Agreement 2018–2020
FAQs FAQs on Contracts of Indefinite Duration. Version 3
Child Protection Update on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Support Arrangements
DES Circular 0003/2018 Leadership and Management in Post-Primary Schools
DES Circular 0002/2018 Operation of the Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU)

 

Circulars 2017

DES Circular 0081/2017 Publication of new “Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017”
DES Circular 0080/2017 Physical Education in Senior Cycle
DES Circular 0079/2017 Revision of Pay Rates in 2018 for Grant funded School Secretaries, Caretakers and Cleaners employed by the Boards of Management of Voluntary Secondary Schools in the Free Education Scheme and associated increases in Grant funding for same
DES Circular 0064/2017 Prescribed material for Junior Cycle English (For students commencing Junior Cycle in September 2017)
DES Circular 0062/2017 Scheme for Leave of Absence Following Assault for Special Needs Assistants
DES Circular 0061/2017 Scheme for Leave of Absence Following Assault for Registered Teachers
DES Circular 0059/2017 Leaving Certificate Politics and Society 2018/19
DES Circular 0054/2017 Post Primary Level - Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 – 2018 (Haddington Road Agreement/ Lansdowne Road Agreement)
DES Circular 0049/2017 Revised Procedure And Sequence For Filling Available Teacher Posts/Hours (Revision To Circular 34/2009)
DES Circular 0048/2017 Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 – 2018 (Haddington Road Agreement/ Lansdowne Road Agreement) and the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2013 and 2015 - Teachers
DES Circular 0047/2017 Supervision and Substitution Scheme: Opt-out and Opt-in (Lansdowne Road Agreement)
DES Circular 0041/2017 Supervision and Substitution Scheme – Opt-out and Opt-in (Lansdowne Road Agreement)
DES Circular 0034/2017 Policy On Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022 - Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme For Post-Primary Schools In Gaeltacht Language-Planning Areas. Initial Implementation Phase (April 2017 To June 2018)
DES Circular 0029/2017 Junior Cycle Resources (Professional Time and Administration Grant)
DES Circular 0025/2017 Revision of Pay Rates in 2017 for Grant funded School Secretaries, Caretakers and Cleaners employed by the Boards of Management of Voluntary Secondary Schools in the Free Education Scheme and Associated increases in Grant funding for same
DES Circular 0020/2017 Revision Of Teacher Salaries With Effect From 1 April 2017 (Post Primary)
DES Circular 0018/2017 Prescribed Material for the Junior Certificate/Junior Cycle Examination in 2019 and Leaving Certificate Examination in 2019
DES Circular 0014/2017 Special Education Teaching Allocation - Post Primary
DES Circular 0006/2017 Prescribed Material for the Leaving Certificate English Examination in 2019

Circulars 2016

DES Circular 0081/2016 Revision of Pay Rates in 2017 for Grant funded School Secretaries, Caretakers and Cleaners employed by the Boards of Management of Voluntary Secondary Schools in the Free Education Scheme and Associated increases in Grant funding for same
DES Circular 0079/2016 Revised Salary Scale From 1 January 2017 For Post-1 February 2012 Entrant Teachers Covered By The Lansdowne Road Agreement
DES Circular 0076/2016 Withdrawal from Supervision and Substitution (S&S) Duties by ASTI Members on 7 November 2016 – Notification to Department of Education and Skills’ Payroll Section
DES Circular 0072/2016 Minor adjustment to the Leaving Certificate Chemistry Syllabus
DES Circular 0071/2016 Withdrawal from Supervision and Substitution (S&S) Duties by ASTI Members
DES Circular 0070/2016 Work Stoppages by ASTI Members
DES Circular 0063/2016 Revised procedure for October Returns of Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) students to the Department of Education and Skills for 2016/17 and future years
DES Circular 0059/2016 Revised Procedure and Sequence for Filling Available Teacher Posts/Hours (Revision To Circular 34/2009)
DES Circular 0045/2016 Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 – 2018 (Haddington Road Agreement/ Lansdowne Road Agreement) and the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2013 and 2015 - Teachers
DES Circular 0016/2016 Remote Area Boarding Grant scheme

Circulars 2015

DES Circular 0077/2015 Revision of Pay Rates from 1 January 2016 for Grant funded School Secretaries, Caretakers and Cleaners employed by the Boards of Management of Voluntary Secondary Schools in the Free Education Scheme and Associated increases in Grant funding for same
DES Circular 0051/2015 Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles in Post-Primary schools
DES Circular 0042/2015 Implementation of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy (2011-2020)
DES Circular 0037/2015 Leaving Certificate Music for the cohort commencing study in August 2015 and presenting for examination in 2017
DES Circular 0036/2015 Revised assessment arrangements for the practical coursework for Leaving Certificate Home Economics (Scientific & Social) for the cohort commencing study in August 2015 and presenting for examination in 2017 and thereafter
DES Circular 0035/2015 Revision to Assessment Arrangements for Leaving Certificate Art for first examination in 2018
DES Circular 0032/2015 Use of live animals for scientific, educational or other purposes in schools
DES Circular 0024/2015 Implementation of the Recommendations of the Expert Group on Fixed-Term and Part-Time Employment in Primary and Second Level Education in Ireland (Post Primary)

Circulars 2014

DES Circular 0061/2014 Discontinuance of Typewriting examination after 2016
DES Circular 057/2014 Implementation of Clause 2.31 of the Haddington Road Agreement - revised pay rates and allowances for persons recruited to certain direct entry grades. Revised Pay Rates and Allowances for Self Financing Adult Education Classes
DES Circular 0050/2014 Revised Arrangements for the Provision of Substitute Cover for Registered Teachers employed in Post – Primary Schools
DES Circular 0043/2014 Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 – 2016 (Haddington Road Agreement) - Teachers: Review of Usage of Croke Park Hours – Amendment to Circular 0025/2011
DES Circular 0042/2014 Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 – 2016 (Haddington Road Agreement) - Teachers: Rostering of Supervision and Substitution
DES Circular 0038/2014 Revised arrangements for the submission of returns to the Department of Education and Skills by post-primary schools for 2014/15 and future years
DES Circular 0032/2014 Prescribed material for the Junior Cycle Student Award in English. For students commencing Junior Cycle in September 2014, September 2015 and September 2016 only
DES Circular 0010/2014 Revised Annual Leave Arrangements for Clerical Officers and Caretakers employed in National Schools under the 1978/79 Scheme and Clerical Officers employed in Post Primary Schools under the 1978 Scheme
DES Circular 0006/2014 Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 – 2016 (Haddington Road Agreement) Supervision and Substitution Scheme
DES Circular 0005/2014 Implementation of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 – 2016 (Haddington Road Agreement) and the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013 (Teachers)

Circulars 2013

DES Circular 0056/2013 Revised arrangements 2013/2014 – Computer Studies Certificates
DES Circular 0055/2013 Revised arrangements 2013/2014 – Transition Year Certificates
DES Circular 0047/2013 Adjustments to the Leaving Certificate Chemistry Syllabus
DES Circular 0041/2013 The Leaving Certificate Mathematics syllabus for examination in 2015 and subsequent years.
The Junior Certificate Mathematics syllabus for examination in 2016 and subsequent years.
DES Circular 0040/2013 Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP)

Circulars 2012

DES Circular 0027/2012 Revised syllabuses in Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate Mathematics for Leaving Certificate examination in 2014 and Junior Certificate examination in 2015
DES Circular 0025/2012 Implementation of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy
DES Circular 0020/2012 Web based Advertising of Teaching Posts
DES Circular 0017/2012 Reduction in the rate of the fee payable to schools and Vocational Education Committees for the administration of the Supervision / Substitution Scheme
DES Circular 0005/2012 Good Practice Guidelines which relate to the Evaluation of Business Proposals from Third parties, Procurement Procedures and Borrowing/Leasing Voluntary Secondary Schools