PPT2003-TUI.doc

Circular Letter PPT20/03 To: CEOs of Vocational Education Committees Implementation of the Protection of Employees (Part –Time Work) Act 2001 for Part-Time Teachers I am directed by the Minister for Education and Science to refer to ongoing discussions between the managerial authorities of schools/VECS, the Departments of Education and Science and Finance and the teacher unions on the implementation of the above mentioned Act and to convey sanction for the implementation of the attached arrangements which have been agreed for certain fully qualified part-time teaching staff. 1. Pro-rata Contracted Teachers The revised arrangements provide for the extension of the pro-rata arrangements which currently apply to certain teaching staff (i.e eligible part-time teachers who teach a minimum of half the hours of a full-time colleague) to fully qualified part-time teachers who are required by the school for a specified number of hours each week over the course of the full school year. A copy of a revised pro-rata contract of employment is attached. Pending finalisation of the discussions on incremental credit, part-time teachers who are eligible for a pro-rata contract will be placed on the appropriate point of the scale in accordance with standing agreements on incremental credit plus appropriate qualification allowances. The issue of payment of arrears will be dealt by way of a further circular letter. These new arrangements are effective from the commencement of the 2003/2004 school year and replace the existing EPT scheme. Part-time qualified teachers already employed in schools/VECs under the regulations in force at the time are eligible for a pro-rata contract without undergoing a further selection process provided they meet all other criteria. The standing arrangements in respect of unqualified part-time teachers who are assigned a minimum of 11 hours teaching per week will continue to apply. Derogation for 2003/2004 school year In view of the timing issues