TPN

THIS PAGE IS AN EXTRACT OF TPN Funding Terms and Conditions and is intended only as a guide to completion of the forms.  Please ensure you are familiar with all terms and regulations before applying for TPN funding.

ABREVIATIONS USED

LEVEL OF FUNDING

There are two types of grant, one for CPD activities for teachers and one to support the functioning of the TGA

National Executive Annual Registration Form  
Details of contacts for the year

• By registering with TPN you confirm you have read and understood all the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme
  

• Inform BEC and your nominated Education Centre of any changes in your National Executive
  

PROPOSAL FORMS
Community of Practice/Local Branch CPD Activity Proposal Form   
List of local planned activity, to be forwarded to the National Executive TPN Coordinator

• DEADLINE: the TPN coordinator will agree a deadline to gather branches’ proposals
  

• Cost of venue may be queried and may not receive TPN funding; when using commercial venues (i.e. hotel rooms) their cost will have to be justified
  

• Include in your proposal any activities that will not incur any TPN expenses in order to assess local level of activity, but do not list activities that involve the attendance of students
  

• TPN funded events must be open to all teachers and clearly advertised as such in TGAs and ECs websites; your TGA may be asked proof of announcement
  

• Forms should indicate how the activities complement national educational priorities and highlight collaboration with relevant support services
  

• The maximum amount that can be granted to the national conference will be determined according to the level of local activity organised by the association and will not exceed 50% of the Activity grant; include a draft programme of the conference and a breakdown of the estimated cost into venue, lecturers, administration, participants, etc.  Consideration will be given to prior years’ activity in determining the amount available for conferences.  
  

                                                                                                      
SUMMARY Proposal for the current year   
To be completed by the National Executive TPN Coordinator based on local CPD activity proposals; this form now includes a section for administration expenditure of the National Executive (columns K – L)

• DEADLINE: Summaries must be received by the TPNSC by 27th January 2017; queries will be dealt with during December; grants will be confirmed before 31 st January of the current grant year
  

• A realistic estimate of costs should be presented, based on grant levels, past events and maximum limits of funding
  

• A brief report must accompany the proposal, showcasing successes of the previous year, as well as indicating perceived members’ needs, goals and future plans; it should also include proposed activities that did not meet expectation, those that did not take place and the reasons why
  

• Copies of branch proposal forms must be included with the SUMMARY
  

• The SUMMARY must be sent to the nominated EC in electronic form and also in printed form, signed by the TPN coordinator.  Once the nominated EC approves the proposals they will sign it and send it to the TPNSC for consideration
  

• The nominated EC is the first port of call for any queries regarding TPN funding; ensure you develop a working relationship with them and keep them updated at all times
  

• Use of ICT to facilitate communication and the distribution of materials is encouraged
  

• Printing of material is discouraged
  

• NatEx can request funding for design charges of e-newsletters, web hosting and domain, expenses incurred in liaison with other TGAs and communities, such as membership of international associations
  

• T&S of the NatEx is capped at 40% of the NatEx grant
  

CLAIM FORMS
Local Activity Report    
Claims to be made as soon as an activity happens and sent to the TPN Coordinator for approval, who will forward it to the nominated EC for payment

• DEADLINE: maximum of thirty days after the event takes place
  

• Use same reference number as in activity proposal
  

• Present an activity report for each event, even if there was no cost incurred
  

• Activities with fewer than ten teacher attendees will not receive TPN funding; this may be reconsidered in the case of smaller TGAs, where evidence of registered participants is provided or due to other operational issues
  

• Include copy of signed attendance list, invoices and receipts
  

• Evaluation forms for each event will be required from September 2016 (see Appendix 5)  
  

• Lecturers’ claims    must be included with the claim; they will be paid by the nominated Education Centre in order to deduct the appropriate taxes; TES rates and regulations apply  
• Participants’ claims must include both school and home address; TPN funds can only be used to pay participants’ claims of post-primary teachers

National Executive Administration Expenditure Claim   
To be completed by the TPN Coordinator.  All invoices, receipts and travel claims to be included.

• DEADLINE: maximum of thirty days after the date of expense or meeting; invoice/receipt/claim form(s) must be included
  

• T&S for members of Executive is capped to 40% of NatEx grant.  For funding purposes, the Executive should be composed of, at least, 75% current, certified post-primary teachers. Rates can be agreed by the NatEx but must not be higher than lecturers’ rates (see Appendix 1)  
  

• Use of ICT to facilitate communication and the distribution of materials is encouraged and in order to reduce costs
  

• TGAs are reminded that all claims are subject to DPER Circular 13/2014 (see Appendix 4)  
  

QUALITY ASSURANCE
The TPN scheme is defined as a supplementary funding scheme to support the work of the Teachers’ Groups and Associations.  Activities receiving TPN funding must focus on teachers’ professional development that aim to continually enhance students learning experience in post primary education and is consistent with the current aims and objectives of the Department of Education and Skills. As funding comes from governmental funds, the TPN Steering Committee is responsible for ensuring that there is accountability and transparency in the way funds are allocated, spent and managed, and for guaranteeing that the taxpayer receives value for money for every euro spent.  Education Centres can be audited and are obliged to maintain financial records in compliance with Revenue regulations.  By receiving TPN funding your teachers’ group/association agrees to conform to TPN Terms and Conditions.