The Department of Education and Youth have issued Circular 0021/2026 which provides for the award of CIDs to teachers for service in excess of one year. This is a welcome improvement on the previous arrangements. Its provisions apply to all eligible ASTI members.
Key differences between CL 0021/2026 and previous arrangements
Qualification period for a CID
Circular 0021/2026
- Reduces qualification period to more than 1 year’s continuous employment (i.e. after reappointment following first year).
- Applies from the 2026/2027 school year for teachers employed from September 2025 onward.
- Teachers qualify one year earlier.
Mandatory Termination and Re-advertisement of First Year Contracts
Circular 0021/2026 requires:
- All first-year fixed-term contracts must terminate
- The post must be re-advertised
- A new recruitment process and interview must take place
- A CID or second fixed-term contract cannot be issued without advertisement and interview.
Definition and Emphasis on Viable Post
While 'viable post' existed previously, the 2026 Circular:
- Provides clearer definition:
- Must come from allocation for the forthcoming year
- Must be for at least a full school year
- Cannot relate solely to temporary cover (e.g. maternity leave)
- Must not have objective grounds preventing CID
- Clarifies that:
- Cover for career break or secondment IS eligible
- Other leave cover is not (if written as objective ground)
Transition Arrangements
The 2026 Circular introduces detailed transition provisions:
- Teachers already in Year 2 during 2025/26 retain eligibility.
- Some teachers are deemed to have completed Year 2 early for transition purposes.
- No second interview required for teachers already interviewed under 2015 Circular terms.
Additional CIDs for Teachers with Part-Time CIDs
The previous Circular Letters provided mechanisms for additional hours, but qualification period remained two years.
CL 0021/2026 provides:
Additional hours now qualify for a further CID after one year of continuous service in those additional hours (if viable and no objective ground).
Redeployment Clarifications
The 2026 Circular explicitly reaffirms liability of CID holders to redeployment, including liability for those covering career break/secondment where the teacher they are covering for returns.
Adjudication
Circular Letter 0021/2026 keeps the voluntary adjudication system (originally referenced under Circular 30/2018)
The Circular and detailed Guidance Notes are available here.
