Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
533. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the policy measures to boost teacher supply, including permanent contracts after one year, announced in April of last year, have been progressed; when legislation on this issue will be brought into effect; how else this legislation might attract teachers abroad to come home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14564/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo ensure that we deliver the best quality education system possible, the Department is planning for the school workforce of the future. The critical importance of the education workforce is recognised in the new Programme for Government 2025 - Securing Ireland’s Future, which includes a commitment to -Develop a workforce plan for the education sector to ensure that we continue to attract, retain and return people into the sector and that the appropriate conditions and supports exist to ensure that they meet the needs of children and young people, society and the economy over the coming decades.
A number of strands of workforce development are underway, including initial planning for delivering on the Programme for Government commitment.
A project focused on Strategic Workforce Planning for the Teaching Workforce in Ireland commenced in October 2024. The project is supported by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) and implemented by UNESCO, in cooperation with the European Commission is expected to be completed within two years.
The project aims to consider the sustainability of the teaching profession in Ireland, with a focus on the factors that impact teacher supply, drawing on both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including a desk review of relevant literature, statistical analysis, surveys and interviews. It will examine EU and international good practices in the planning and management of teacher workforces, incorporating peer-learning workshops and a study visit.
Co-creation with educational stakeholders is an integral part of the project. Their insights will strengthen the quality of the analysis, and this approach will help to develop greater agreement amongst stakeholders on teacher supply issues in Ireland and the required solutions. It is envisaged that the recommendations put forward in the context of the project will feed into the development by the Department of a strategic workforce plan for the teaching workforce in Ireland.
With regard to the earlier announcement regarding permanent contracts after one year, officials within my Department are currently engaging with the teacher unions and the school management bodies to finalise the details of the new scheme. This 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.
Details of the scheme 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.
The 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.
