IPPN

Published: 05 June 2025

In this E-scéal:

• Forward Planning for Special Education Provision for 2026/27 and beyond
• Planning Prompts
• DE Circulars
• Sectoral Updates
• IPPN Roadshow – Final workshops of the school year
• Be Well, Lead Well
• Did you know?

Forward Planning for Special Education Provision for 2026/27 and beyond
Late last week, the DE published Circular 0039/2025 detailing a range of measures designed to support the process of forward planning for Special Education provision for the 2026/27 school year and beyond.
The following points of information relate to the opening of special classes in schools for the 2026/27 school year only. Other elements of the circular will be addressed in future professional guidance.
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Planning Prompts
At this particular time of year, we highlight the 10 Self-Care Commandments, while aware that not every school leader will be enabled to put all these elements in place. In considering these Commandments, you may be able to build in time for recovery after what has been an exceptional year, despite the many tasks and activities still facing you over the next few weeks. Remember, support from the Leadership Support Team will continue to be only a phone call away.

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Circulars
0039/2025 - Approach and key measures to support the Forward Planning for Special Education Provision for the 2026/2027 school year and beyond / Cur chuige agus príomhbhearta chun tacú leis an bPleanáil Chun Cinn do Sholáthar Oideachais Speisialta don scoilbhliain 2026/2027 agus ina diaidh
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Amharc

0043/2025 - Recruitment of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) - Supplementary Assignment Arrangements for the 2025/2026 school year / Earcaíocht Cúntóirí Riachtanas Speisialta – Socruithe Sannacháin Fhorlíontaigh don scoilbhliain 2025/2026
Read
Amharc

Updates
Minor Works Grant
The Minor Works Grant is €5,500 basic plus €18.50 Mainstream (€74 Special Schools). It is currently paid in advance (June 2025) for 2025/2026 academic year and can be used for the following:
• Improvements to school buildings and grounds (Items such as the replacement of windows, roof repairs, re-surfacing of school yard, re-painting and re-decorating, improving insulation standards and improving access for all qualify under this heading)
• Improvement or replacement of mechanical and electrical services
• The purchase of standard furniture and physical education equipment
• The purchase of floor coverings and window blind
• The purchase of IT related equipment (Items such as computers, printers, overhead projectors and photocopiers qualify under this heading)
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Teacher Redeployment Panels
The timeframe for the school-led redeployment process was Tuesday 27 May 2025.The Department is liaising closely with the Panel Operators in relation to progress on clearing panels.
DE Update 28th May

CPSMA Survey on School Finances
Given the financial difficulties within primary schools CPSMA has reached out to schools to gather quantifiable data regarding the financial position of schools to present to the Department of Education. Please note that the data supplied will be collated and generalized - no individual school or principal will be identified. Questions are based upon your school finances for the 2023-2024 academic year. To complete this survey, it will be beneficial to have a copy of the school accounts which were submitted to FSSU in February 2025.
Access survey

IPPN Roadshow – Workshops
Last workshops of the current school year:

Register

Be Well, Lead Well
Tip # 22 from Patricia Mannix McNamara, Professor of Education Leadership at the University of Limerick and Life/Leadership coach.
Listen to a positive podcast, such as the ‘Leadership Unwrapped’ Podcast
In this episode, the impact of kindness. It is so easy for people to dismiss kindness as a soft skill but there is good science behind the emerging knowledge about kindness.
Claudia Hammond's book ‘The Keys to Kindness’ has a lot to offer on this. If you are planning your summer reads, maybe add this one to your list.
Find us on
• Spotify: https://lnkd.in/e3nM-Xa5
• Apple: https://lnkd.in/eJNt-PRd
• Castbox: https://lnkd.in/e_Ya96ZC
#BeWellLeadWell

MIC Wellbeing Conference – PsyTales Project
Deirdre Kelly and Catriona Donoghue, on behalf of IPPN, look forward to presenting the PsyTales project at Mary Immaculate College Limerick upcoming Wellbeing Conference 7th of June. PsyTales is funded by the European Union Erasmus + Programme and brings together researchers and practitioners from 5 European countries. PsyTales focuses on equipping students with the tools they need to prevent mental health issues, manage stress, and build resilience.
More information on PsyTales

Education Matters Virtual Summit 2025 - Recordings
Education Matters' Annual Virtual Summit is a national celebration of thought leadership and innovation in Irish education.
The 2025 Summit showcases dynamic panel discussions based on featured articles in Ireland’s Education Yearbook 2024. Having contributed an article in the Yearbook on ‘The Wellbeing of Irish Primary School Leaders: A Shared Responsibility’, IPPN Chairperson Catríona O’Reilly moderated the Primary Panel, which explored the topic of Teaching, Trust and Inclusion: Navigating the Changing Primary School Landscape.
Access Summit recordings

Thriail Ghaeilge Dhroim Conrach do Bhunscoileanna Gaeltachta agus Lán-Ghaeilge
Tá an Foras Taighde ar Oideachas (FTO) ag obair ar leaganacha nuashonraithe de Thriail Ghaeilge Dhroim Conrach do Bhunscoileanna Gaeltachta agus Lán-Ghaeilge (TGD-G) ag ceithre leibhéal agus de Thriail Ghaeilge Dhroim Conrach do Bhunscoileanna Rialta (TGD-R) ag trí leibhéal san am i láthair. Is éard atá i gceist leis an obair seo ná athfhorbairt a dhéanamh ar na trialacha chun iad a thabhairt cothrom le dáta agus a bheith ag teacht le Curaclam Teanga na Bunscoile (ROE/CNCM, 2019).

Mar pháirt den phróiseas athfhorbartha seo, tá an FTO ag lorg scríbhneoirí míreanna chun ceisteanna a fhorbairt do na trialacha seo a dhéanfaidh meastóireacht ar réimsí an stóir focal léitheoireachta, na léamhthuisceana agus na cluastuisceana i measc daltaí bunscoile. Cuirfear fáilte ar leith roimh iarratasóirí don obair seo ó dhaoine a bhfuil taithí acu ar theagasc bunscoile, ar churaclam nó ar thrialacha a fhorbairt, nó ar scríobh míreanna. Beidh idir 6-12 uair an chloig oibre in aghaidh na seachtaine i gceist sa ról seo, ar feadh tréimhse suas le 10 seachtaine idir tús mhí Iúil agus deireadh mhí Lúnasa 2025.

Bheadh an FTO fíorbhuíoch dá d’fhéadfadh sibh an fógra atá ag an nasc atá thíos a scaipeadh ar aon múinteoir, nó teagmhálaithe cuí a mbeadh suim acu ann nó a mbeadh eolas acu ar theagmhálaithe oiriúnacha eile don ról: https://www.erc.ie/vacancies/part-time-item-writers-for-the-drumcondra-tests-gaeilge-for-primary-schools/

ESHA Biennial Conference – Rome 2025

Powerful Leadership in Changing Times
October 29–31, 2025, Rome
In a world of rapid change, school leaders face complex challenges — climate change, technological disruption, wellbeing crises, and a rapidly changing social landscape. Now more than ever, strong leadership matters. To lead powerfully in these times, we need fresh thinking, strong networks, and practical tools. The ESHA Biennial Conference 2025 offers exactly that.
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Creative Writing Webinar
Fighting Words and La Grande Fabbrica Delle Parole will host a webinar on the 10th June from 4.30pm - 5.30pm that will feature their Erasmus+ project ‘Story Seeds - From Ireland to Italy and Back Again!’ In this EU-funded project schools from Milan and Ireland contributed to six unique stories that celebrated their local area. If you are interested in using creative writing as a tool for equity and access, join the webinar by registering below.
Register