Barnardos – Empower Kids Project
- Published: 27 April 2023
Barnardos is working towards increasing the visibility of children and young people living with domestic violence and abuse and supporting the improvement of service responses.
The children and young people involved in a child and youth participation project called ‘Empower Kids’, which is hosted by Barnardos, gives voice to this lived experience. This expertise gives guidance to how a better response to childhood domestic violence and abuse may be achieved.
These resources are designed to support professionals, including teachers, to respond effectively to childhood domestic violence and abuse. The wish of the 50+ children and young people to date who have been involved in ‘Empower Kids’ is to get their message out to help as many children as possible.
Click here for Childhood Domestic Violence & Abuse, Practitioners Resources
Click here for more information on the ‘Empower Kids’ Project
Contact: Aine Costello (aine.costello@barnardos.ie), National Coordinator for childhood domestic violence and abuse project if you have any queries.
Grant Updates - April 2023
- Published: 27 April 2023
- Free Book Scheme: The Department announced on Wednesday, 26 April that the grant payment for the free book scheme would issue to schools by Friday, 28 April. Some practical suggestions on the operation and administration of the grant will be included in a future E-scéal. Click here to view DE guidance and parent communication on the operation of the Free Book Scheme
- Ancillary Services Grant: Two thirds of the grant will issue shortly to schools. The DE is finalising arrangements for grant funded school administrators who accepted the new terms and conditions. These school administrators will be placed on the Department’s payroll from September 2023
- Minor Works Grant: The DE is finalising arrangements to issue the 2023/2024 Minor Works Grant to schools. It is the Department’s intention to have the grant payment issued by Friday 28 April 2023
Minor Works Grant
- Published: 20 April 2023
During the Easter Break (11 April 2023), the DE announced €29 million in minor works funding for primary and special schools which is used for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds. The grant may be used for the improvement or replacement of mechanical and electrical services, the purchase of standard furniture and physical education equipment, the purchase of floor coverings and window blinds and IT related equipment. The DE has advised that they intend to issue the grant payment earlier to schools for the 2023/2024 school year. In addition, the Planning and Building unit are currently preparing an interactive guidance document on the maintenance on school buildings for Boards of Management.
SEN Summer Programme 2023 (Mainstream) – WEBINAR
- Published: 20 April 2023
Monday 24 April at 7.00pm an online webinar will be hosted for mainstream schools considering organising an SEN Summer Programme. During the 1hr 15 minute webinar, the Inspectorate will provide an overview of the SEN Summer Programme Guidance document and will facilitate FAQS.
The Department has extended the closing date for schools to register for the 2023 Summer Programme on the online portal to Friday, 5 May 2023.
Click here for more information and to register for this event
Recruitment & Redeployment Panels
- Published: 20 April 2023
The final date for the school lead redeployment process is Friday, 28 April 2023. After this date, a Panel Officer will be appointed by the Patron/Panel Operator to clear panel(s). A Board is not permitted to proceed with normal recruitment and appointment procedures to fill permanent or fixed term vacancies without the approval of their Patron. It is advisable for schools to contact their Patron before advertising vacancies on EducationPosts.ie. Schools that have approval for filling permanent or fixed term vacancies through open competition can refer to IPPN’s Developing Teaching Capacity – Recruiting and Appointing Teachers Resource Bundle. It provides a step-by-step guide through the recruitment and appointment process with supporting documentation and resources.
