Appeal System for Permanent Principal and Deputy Principal Appointments

Updated: 9th February 2022

Circular Letter 0062/2021 sets out the appeal system for the appointment of permanent Principal and Deputy Principal in post-primary schools. This appeal system applies to all permanent appointments advertised after 2nd December 2021. It does not apply to acting/temporary appointments.

Grounds for Appeal

There are 6 grounds of appeal.

For applicants who applied for the position:

(i) Non-placement of the advertisement on the websites comprehended by Circular 20/2021 (www.publicjobs.ie) or other as agreed by the management bodies for the advertising of Principal and Deputy Principal.

(ii) The recommended candidate does not have the required qualified service to be appointed in accordance with the relevant Department circulars.

For candidates interviewed:

(iii) Composition of the Interview Board[1]

(iv) A computational error in the Interview Board’s Summary Marking Sheet of the appellant and this error makes a material difference to the outcome.

(v) A departure from the selection criteria as specified in the Application Form

(vi) A departure from the marking scheme as notified to interviewees prior to the interview.

An appeal may only be lodged on one or more of the above grounds in relation to an alleged breach of the procedure. The appeal is not a re-run of the interview or any part of it.

Timeline of the Appeal Process

The Appeal Date will be 4.00 p.m. on the seventh calendar day, with day 1 commencing on the day after the outcome of the appointment process is issued.

The appeal period, thereafter, allows for a maximum of 19 calendar days for completion of the process. This period may be shortened if either the management response and/or the adjudicator’s decision is completed in a shorter timeframe.

External Review by independent adjudication

Appeals under this procedure will be considered by an independent Adjudicator agreed by the management bodies and the unions and approved by the Department of Education.

The Fee

An appellant must pay a fee of €100 to the school when lodging an appeal. This fee must be paid prior to the Appeal Date. This fee is refundable where an appeal is successful.

Outcome of an Appeal

Where an appeal is upheld, other than where there is an error in the computation of marks that materially changes the outcome, the Adjudicator will advise the Chair of the Board of

Management to recommence the appointment process at the appropriate stage, e.g., re-advertise the position or re-interview candidates called for interview.

The Appeal & Management Response Form

The Appellant Appeal Form is attached at Appendix A of Circular Letter 0062/2021.

The Management Response Form to an Appeal is attached at Appendix B of Circular Letter 0062/2021.

An electronic version of the both the Appeal Form and the Management Response Form is available on the management bodies and unions websites. Only forms submitted electronically will be considered.

ACCS Competency Based Recruitment & Selection Process Manual for the Appointment of Principals and Deputy Principals.

This Manual is currently being updated to reflect the new appeal system for permanent Principal/Deputy Principal appointments. It will be available to Boards of Management early in the New Year. In the meantime, please contact amdillon@accs.ie with any queries relating to the appointment process.

[1] Note this ground includes a non-disclosure of a conflict of interest by a member of the Interview Board.

Appeal System for Permanent Principal and Deputy Principal Appointments (CL 62/2021)