Becoming a Teacher

Teaching Transforms is an online resource with information for anyone thinking of becoming a teacher or returning to work as a teacher in Ireland.

The Department of Education and Skills provides a payroll service to teaching and non-teaching staff in primary, voluntary secondary and community and comprehensive schools. Retired personnel are also paid through this service. See more at Payroll Services and Information

The department also administers pension schemes for teaching staff, special needs assistants, certain clerical officers and certain caretakers in primary schools. In addition, The department has an advisory and regulatory role in relation to pension schemes in ETBs, Institutes of Technology, Universities, Colleges of education and certain education bodies. See more at Pensions Services and Information

Information on statutory and non-statutory leave entitlements for teachers, SNAs and other staff in the Education Sector.

An Occupational Health Strategy has been put in place as a supportive resource for teachers and special needs assistants and for Clerical Officers and Caretakers employed in National Schools under the 1978/79 Scheme and Clerical Officers employed in Post Primary Schools under the 1978 Scheme.

The aim of this strategy is to promote the health of employees in their workplace, with a focus primarily on prevention rather than cure. The Occupational Health Strategy comprises the Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Programme (EAWP) and the Occupational Health Service (OHS).

EAP Consultants (branded as Inspire Wellbeing) are the current providers of the Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Services which includes a free confidential service accessible by means of a free phone telephone helpline available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing counselling on a range of personal health and wellbeing issues given by qualified clinicians.

The External Staff Relations Unit, in the Department of Education and skills manages industrial relations for the wider education sector. The department promotes good industrial relations practice throughout the education sector and encourages and supports the modernisation of the sector

The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) offers professional learning opportunities to teachers and school leaders in a range of pedagogical, curricular and educational areas.