Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
1257. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she believes that acknowledging teaching service for teachers who teach in a jurisdiction outside of the EU and recognising this previous service on the teacher salary scale would help to alleviate the teacher recruitment and retention crisis in this state; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2169/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in the Department’s Circulars 10/2001, for primary teachers, and 29/2007 and 29/2010, for post-primary teachers. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers were agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC).
These circulars provide for the award of incremental credit in respect of overseas teaching service, both within and outside the EU. Where a school satisfies the criteria set out in the circulars to have service at that school recognised for incremental credit, an award of incremental credit can be made. There is no contractual entitlement to incremental credit.
Criteria such as whether the school is subject to state funding, which can be of relevance when examining claims relating to private teaching schools, and the length of time the school has been in existence, must be satisfied for service at that school to be recognised for incremental credit.
Where schools do not satisfy the required criteria, then service at that school cannot be considered towards incremental credit. Teachers must be on the Department of Education’s teacher payroll or teaching in an Education and Training Board school before an application can be processed.
Also an award of incremental credit is based on the incremental credit application submitted to either the Department or an ETB, it is not possible to process an incremental credit application ahead of the teacher’s return to Ireland.
The criteria for the award of incremental credit for teachers are subject to review by way of an incremental credit committee, which is a sub-committee of the Teachers Conciliation Council, and which meets on an ongoing basis.
This Government is fully committed to ensuring that every child has access to a high-quality education delivered by qualified and dedicated teachers. There are now more teachers working in our schools than ever before. As of March 2025, over 79,000 teachers were employed nationwide; 43,000 at primary level (including special schools) and 36,000 at post-primary level with over 97% of allocated posts filled.
Teacher attrition remains low, with fewer than 3% resigning or retiring annually, one of the lowest rates in the OECD.
While the vast majority of schools are well-staffed, recruitment challenges persist in some areas. To address these, my Department has implemented a range of measures, including increasing teacher supply:
• Initial teacher education graduates have risen by 20% since 2018, and Teaching Council registrations have grown by 30% since 2017.
• Between 2018/19 and 2024/25, 11,752 additional teaching posts were created, supported by record Government investment.
• Budget 2026 provides for 1,042 new posts, including 860 in Special Educational Needs settings.
• While most teaching positions are filled, some schools face recruitment challenges. An analysis of the March 2025 teacher payroll illustrates relatively low vacancy rates and suggests that the vast majority of schools are well-staffed and able to meet the needs of their students.
• March 2025 data shows 3.1% of primary posts and 1.8% of post-primary posts were unfilled.
• The number of unfilled, allocated posts in DEIS schools was 2.6%, in special schools: 3.4%, and in Irish medium schools: 0.4%.
• A range of measures have been introduced to address teacher supply, including:
• Faster access to permanent roles; induction pathways for overseas-qualified teachers.
• Launch of a €2,000 STEM bursary for student teachers.
• Expanded upskilling programmes in Irish, French, Politics & Society, and Computer Science, complementing existing maths and science initiatives.
• Continued promotion of the profession through the Teaching Transforms campaign.
• Post-primary teachers may provide up to 35 additional hours per term; restrictions on job-sharers and career-break teachers have been eased.
• A teacher workforce planning project, supported by UNESCO and the EU Commission, will deliver recommendations in mid-2026 to ensure the profession remains attractive.
My Department continues to engage closely with stakeholders to address teacher supply and retention challenges. These measures reflect our commitment to ensuring that every school has the resources needed to provide an excellent education for all students.
