Minister for Education and Youth signs revised Teacher Council Registration Regulations, strengthening teacher supply supports
- Published on: 16 October 2025
- Last updated on: 16 October 2025
The Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD, has signed into law the revised Teaching Council Registration Regulations replacing the 2016 Regulations as amended.
These revised regulations introduce a number of key updates designed to support and strengthen the supply of qualified teachers, while maintaining the high professional standards of the teaching profession.
A key provision within the revised regulations allows teachers who qualified overseas to undertake their induction in the State for a time-limited period up to 31 December 2027. This measure reinstates a facility that proved valuable during previous years in addressing teacher supply pressures, and reflects ongoing workforce needs arising from demographic demand, special education expansion, and the continued enrolment of children from Ukraine.
The regulations also formally incorporate the mechanism enabling student teachers to register with the Teaching Council, a measure first introduced in 2023. This allows student teachers in the third or fourth year of their programmes to undertake limited substitute teaching work. The initiative expands classroom capacity while providing student teachers with valuable classroom contact time.
Speaking at the National Conference of the National Associations of Principals and Deputy Principals, Minister McEntee stated,
“I am delighted to bring into force new regulations which will ensure that teachers who qualify abroad can have their qualification recognised in Ireland. This is one of a number of measures being taken to improve teacher supply.
“My priority is to deliver a worldclass education sector, which breaks down barriers and ensures every child can achieve their full potential. Supporting teachers and addressing teacher supply issues is a key part of delivering this ambition.
“These measures ensure that we continue to maintain high professional standards while also addressing supply challenges in our schools. They represent a practical and balanced approach to supporting our teaching workforce and ensuring that appropriately qualified teachers remain available to students across the country
I want to commend the Teaching Council for introducing these revised regulations, and for the extensive consultation undertaken with stakeholders across the education sector.
This builds on previous measures which have been taken and is one of a number of measures that is being taken to improve the supply of teachers. I have also moved to ensure that teachers can gain earlier access to permanent contracts.”
Director of the Teaching Council, Dr Lynn Ramsey said
“The Teaching Council works in the public interest and we are always looking at ways to enhance what we do. The revised registration regulations are an important step which supports us in maintaining standards and regulating the teaching profession.”
The facility will open for applications for appropriately qualified teachers, on the Teaching Council website, in the coming days.
Dúirt stiúrthóir na Comhairle Múinteoireachta, an Dr Lynn Ramsey
Ramsey “Oibríonn an Comhairle Mhúinteoireachta chun leasa an phobail agus táimid de shíor ag féachaint ar bhealaí chun an méid a dhéanann muid a fheabhsú. Is céim thábhachtach iad na rialacháin chlárúcháin lena dtugtar tacaíocht dúinn caighdeáin a choimeád agus an ghairm mhúinteoireachta a rialú.”
Notes to editor
There are more qualified teachers than ever working in schools nationwide.
Recent analysis of payroll data shows that there is a record number of teachers employed: over 79,000 in all schools (43,000 primary, including special schools and 36,000 in post-primary).
Between 2018/19 and the last school year 2023/24, through record investment by Government, the number of teaching posts has increased by 10,408 with 5,339 (14.3%) primary, and 5,069 (17.8%) post-primary allocated teaching posts.
Budget 2026 has seen an increase of 1,042 teacher posts, including 860 additional teachers working across various Special Educational Needs settings.
Further teaching posts in the special education sector were provided in recent budgets for 2024/25 and the current school year 2025/26.
The number of teaching graduates continues to be sufficient with 3,700 newly qualified teachers registered in 2024 with the Teaching Council, bringing the register total to over 126,000 – the highest number in the history of the State.
Teaching is an attractive career choice: 6% of first-choice CAO applications for primary or post-primary teaching shows consistent demand from 2017 to 2024.
The rate of resignation and retirement is very low by any standard and is consistent with previous years.
A comprehensive workforce plan for the education sector, a commitment under the Programme for Government is in development. Additionally, preparations are being made to host an education convention—another Programme for Government commitment—that will bring together all stakeholders to share their experiences, expectations, and hopes for the future of our education system.
This Government is committed to ensuring that every child has a positive school experience, with access to qualified and engaged teachers who are dedicated to supporting their learning.
Teacher Supply Measures
A number of measures have been introduced aimed at attracting more teachers, particularly in high-demand subjects.
Key initiatives include:
- Improving the attractiveness of the profession by ensuring that newly qualified teachers can gain permanent contracts in one year, as opposed to two years.
- Budget 2025 introduced a €2,000 bursary for student teachers in STEM fields, payable in the final two years of their undergraduate programme, in exchange for a two-year teaching commitment.
- Budget 2024 launched a €2,000 bursary for teachers graduating with a Professional Master of Education (PME), aimed at encouraging newly qualified teachers to take up roles in primary and post-primary schools.
- Upskilling Programmes expanded under Budget 2024 and continued in 2025, offering free courses to teachers in high-demand subjects to reduce out-of-field teaching.
- New programmes in Irish, French, politics & society, and computer science have commenced in 2025, with over 160 teachers registered on these programmes, and complement existing programmes in maths, physics, and Spanish.
- In addition, promotion of the teaching profession as a career continues and workforce planning for teachers and SNAs is under way.
- These measures are designed to ensure a steady flow of qualified teachers into the profession and reflect the commitment to ongoing investment in the education system to address teacher supply.