Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 March 2026
76. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the amount spent to attract teachers back to Ireland in each of the years 2023 to 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22506/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to ensuring that every child has a positive school experience, with access to qualified and engaged teachers who are dedicated to supporting their learning.
There are more qualified teachers than ever working in schools with an analysis of payroll data from November 2025 shows there are 75,000 teachers employed in schools across the country. This analysis found that over 98% of allocated teaching posts were filled nationwide. Teacher attrition remains low, with fewer than 3% resigning or retiring annually, one of the lowest rates in the OECD.
While the majority of allocated teaching posts are filled, certain schools experience ongoing challenges in recruiting teachers. Attracting qualified teachers, whether working overseas or not, is required to address teacher supply issues, and several measures are already in place to support teachers who are working abroad to return to Ireland.
The Department of Education and Youth currently has a scheme in place which allows for teachers who work in an Oireachtas funded teaching post to apply for incremental credit with respect to previous teaching service which they accrued while teaching outside of Ireland.
The criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in the Department’s Circulars 10/2001 for primary teachers, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for post-primary teachers. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was 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.
Turas Abhaile is an initiative of the Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools (ACCS) and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) which has assisted teachers based abroad to return to teach in Ireland since September 2019. Turas Abhaile matches teachers with specific vacancies and participating schools to facilitate online interviews to suit the preferences of candidates. The Department has provided the following funding to the ACCS for the Turas Abhaile service in each of the years 2023 to 2025:
|
Year |
Funding provided |
|
2023 |
€41,000 |
|
2024 |
€150,000 |
|
2025 |
€70,000 |
Following on from the Department’s Action Plan on Teacher Supply, the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) operates an online portal for the recruitment of teachers to long-term teaching positions. The portal facilitates the matching of demand and supply and provides an efficient and user-friendly recruitment process for both schools and teachers, including teachers working abroad who wish to apply for posts here.
In addition, my Department recently approved regulations to allow teachers who qualified overseas to undertake their induction in the State. This will help to encourage teachers abroad to take up teaching roles in Ireland.
A comprehensive workforce plan for the education sector, a commitment under the Programme for Government is in development. A new project, supported by UNESCO and the EU Commission, will create a strategic plan for managing Ireland’s teaching workforce is part of the workforce planning activity currently underway. This two-year project will involve consultations with key stakeholders to develop recommendations with a report due in 2026.
Additionally, the first meeting of the Convention on Education, a Programme for Government commitment, took place recently. This was the first of four meetings planned for 2026 and will bring together all stakeholders to share their experiences, expectations, and hopes for our education system leading to a report on the future of education in Ireland.
Teaching is an attractive career choice with 3,600 newly qualified teachers registered with the Teaching Council in 2025. Salaries are competitive, starting at €45,379 (primary) and €46,948 (post-primary) and rising to €85,000 under the current pay deal.
My Department frequently consults and engages closely with stakeholders on issues such as teacher supply through industrial relations forums, sectoral meetings, and direct discussions with teacher unions. I am considering further measures to strengthen the teaching workforce and ensure that schools have the support needed to provide an excellent education for every student.
