Revenue today announced its decision to defer the implementation of any planned changes to flat rate expenses until 1st January 2021, pending the outcome of a review relating to the tax deductibility of expenses in employment by the Tax Strategy Group (TSG).

The NCCA consultation on the draft specification for Leaving Certificate Polish, Lithuanian, Portuguese and Mandarin is now open.  

The Department of Education and Skills has published a document entitled Developing a Teacher Demand and Supply Model for Ireland 2020 – 2036 This document represents an initial set of projections but it is acknowledged by the Department as not purporting to take account of preferred policy directions towards the improvement of the public education system. At the national consultative forum on teacher supply on 28th November, TUI representatives pointed out clearly that the document is essentially blind to the current deepening crisis in teacher supply at second level. This crisis requires an immediate and integrated policy response from the Deptartment that has at its heart the establishment of pay equality and an end to the discrimination that is driving potential applicants away from teaching.

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has described the findings of the PISA 2018 study – released this morning – as an endorsement of the work of Irish teachers and students at a time when the country lags far behind internationally in terms of investment in education.