Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
538. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a teacher (details supplied) would, in light of Circular 0038/2026, and their qualifications and experience, be eligible to teach in an autism class or special class within a post-primary school setting; if so, whether this teacher would be remunerated on a post-primary salary scale; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29975/26]
View answerThe Deputy refers to Circular 0038/2026, which details the provision of a dedicated Post of Responsibility – the Senior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 Programme Co-ordinator - to support the enactment of Senior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes.
Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes at Senior Cycle are currently being implemented in both mainstream and special schools, and thus, special schools may avail of the role, subject to meeting certain eligibility criteria. As per the circular, an addendum to Circular 0038/2026 setting out in further detail its operation in special schools, in line with the parameters herein, will be provided by the end of May 2026.
In more general terms, as the Deputy will know, the Teaching Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and in line with the Teaching Council Registration Regulations, 2025. As set out in the Schedule of the Regulations, the Council registers teachers under five routes of registration: Route 1 - Primary, Route 2 - Post-primary, Route 3 - Further Education, Route 4 - Other and Route 5 - Student Teacher. The qualification requirements for each route are set down in the Schedule. My department has no role in the registration of individual teachers.
When recruiting people to teaching positions, employers must comply with the registration requirements of the legislation under the Teaching Council Act and with S.I. No. 32/2014. Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act which requires that an applicant for a teaching position in a recognised school be registered with the Teaching Council in order to be paid from Oireachtas-voted funds.
In accordance with 1.1 of Department Circular 31/2011, schools should ensure that people appointed to teach are registered teachers with qualifications appropriate to the sector and suitable to the post for which they are employed.
The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts, however, is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012)
Further information can be found in Circular 0044/2019.
