Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
314. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth if an updated CID Circular is expected to be issued; if it will address issues where teachers are providing ongoing service over a number of years without access to permanency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13529/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn early 2025 Minister McEntee announced that teachers who have taken up their first contract in a viable teaching post in September of this 2025 will become eligible for a permanent contract in September 2026.
The Minister announced this initiative to increase job security and to make teaching a more attractive, sustainable career. This measure will see teachers who started teaching in September 2025 gain a permanent contract a year earlier than they would have previously, by qualifying for the award of a Contract of Indefinite Duration, where they have been re-appointed following a competitive recruitment process.
This will provide teachers with the certainty that they need, particularly for those who may be considering large financial commitments, such as those applying for mortgages.
This new measure will apply to both newly qualified teachers, and those teachers who have not yet managed to secure a permanent position, where those teachers satisfy the relevant criteria.
Officials within my Department are currently engaging with the teacher unions and the school management bodies to finalise the details of the new scheme, and these details will be published once this process has been completed. This process is expected to conclude in Q1 this year.
The introduction of this measure is aimed at addressing the situation where teachers are providing ongoing service over a number of years without access to permanency.
