Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have qualified, engaged teachers available to support them in their learning is a priority area of action for the Government.

Budget 2024 reflects this Government’s commitment to ongoing investment in the education system through various measures:

1. Introduction of a professional master’s of education incentive scheme for newly qualified teachers graduating in 2024. Eligible teachers can receive an incentive payment of up to €2,000, to be paid in 2025.
2. Expansion of upskilling programs, free to teachers, aimed at increasing the number of qualified teachers in high-demand subjects and reducing out-of-field teaching. New programs in Irish, French, politics & society, and computer science will complement existing programs in maths, physics, and Spanish. Trinity College Dublin will deliver a new Irish upskilling program for post-primary teachers starting in late 2024, available at no cost to eligible teachers.
3. Provision of an additional 1,000 posts of responsibility in the school system for the 2024/25 school year, recognising the vital role of school leaders in enhancing educational outcomes by fostering a positive school environment and empowering educators and learners within their communities.

In addition to these recently introduced measures, as Minister I have developed further initiatives to address teacher supply challenges, including:

1. Approving 610 additional places on initial teacher education programs for primary level over the academic years 2023/24 and 2024/25.
2. Ensuring flexibility in initial teacher education programs to allow student teachers to support schools, with over 2,700 registered under Route 5 with the Teaching Council in 2023, providing valuable substitute teaching support. Currently there are 3,600 registered under Route 5, the highest number ever.
3. Encouraging retired teachers to provide substitute cover, resulting in a significant increase of 49% in teaching days provided between the 2021/22 and 2022/23 school years. A new communications campaign began earlier this year to encourage retired teachers to return to teaching.
4. Reduction of restrictions on job-sharing teachers and those on career breaks from working as substitutes.

These measures contribute to the lowest-ever teacher allocation ratio in primary schools, with a 10% reduction in the average student-per-teacher ratio between 2017 and 2023.

The recruitment and appointment of?teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for individual school authorities, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). In that regard, there are more than 3,700 individual employers (boards of management of primary schools and post-primary schools, as well as ETBs).

My Department intends to finalise an updated model on the demand for teachers in 2024. Additionally, a project initiated in 2023 which seeks to monitor vacant permanent and fixed-term positions within the system remains ongoing. This project continues to gather and analyse data while refining methodologies to ensure the reliability of data.

In circumstances where posts are unfilled for a period of time, or where a vacancy arises in a school due to a teacher taking leave, such vacancies may be filled by substitute teachers, on either a casual or non-casual contract basis.

Substitutable leave absences may be filled by schools in several ways. A substitute teacher may be recruited locally by a school, and a claim for payment for the teacher may be submitted to my Department, via the Online Claims System. Alternatively, the absence may be covered by schools under a number of schemes, which are managed locally by schools.

The Supervision and Substitution Scheme in primary and post-primary schools allows for the supervision of students during breaks and before and after school and allows for substitution to cover certain categories of teacher absences. With effect from the beginning of the 2013/14 school year, participation in the Supervision and Substitution scheme is compulsory for teachers, save for those who had availed of the opt-out arrangements before this date.

All schools therefore provide cover for a significant number of substitutable absences, arising over the school year, through the Supervision and Substitution scheme.

For primary schools, substitute teacher supply panels are also in place. For the 2023/24 school year, 590 substitute teacher supply posts have been allocated to 166 panels, covering nearly 2,900 schools. This scheme provides substitute cover for teachers employed in primary schools who are absent on short-term leave. Absences covered by the teacher supply panels are recorded locally by the schools and the schools are not required to claim for the substitutable leave to my Department.

For post-primary schools, Circular 0035/2023 provides for a Teaching Hours Extension scheme to be in place for the 2023/24 school year. This scheme provides post-primary schools with an alternative means of sourcing appropriately qualified substitute teaching cover to support teaching and learning in schools. Teachers on full teaching contracts of 22 hours can provide additional substitution cover, of up to 35 additional hours, for each term designated under the scheme. Absences covered under this scheme are also recorded locally by the schools and the schools are not required to claim for the substitutable leaves covered by this scheme to my Department.

As many of the absences that arise in schools are filled locally by schools, without a requirement for an application to be made to my Department, my Department therefore cannot provide definitive figures as to the number of unfilled vacancies, or substitutable absences which were unfilled, in any given period of time, or as to the number of vacancies covered by an unregistered person during that time.

The vast majority of sanctioned teacher positions are filled. The rate of resignation and retirement is very low by any standard and is consistent with previous years.

Teaching remains an attractive career choice.

• CAO first preference choices for post-primary teaching increased in 2023 by 14%, in addition to a 9% increase in 2022. CAO preferences for primary teaching showed increases at the closing date in February 2024 with overall mentions up 10% and first preferences increasing by 2% from 2023.
• In 2024, there were 4,271 first preference applications for undergraduate teaching programmes, showing a trend largely consistent with recent years. Analysis of CAO applications spanning from 2017 to 2024 indicates a sustained and robust demand for undergraduate teaching programmes. On average, 6% of first preference applications during the period from 2017 to 2024 were for either primary or post-primary teaching programmes. Specifically, the percentage of first preference applications for undergraduate primary teaching programmes ranged between 2.9% and 3.8%, while those for post-primary undergraduate programmes ranged between 2.4% and 2.9%.
• The ratio of first preference applications through the CAO for level 8 courses in 2022 shows that there were 1.5 applicants per place for education, with a higher demand for primary courses (2) than for post-primary places (1.5). The demand for primary ITE is higher than for all fields except for medicine (3.5) and veterinary medicine (5.2)
• Currently starting pay for Primary teachers is over €41,000 and over €42,000 for post-primary teachers. The new pay deal, with all three teacher unions having recently voted in favour of, will mean that teachers’ starting salary will increase to €46,000 rising to a maximum of €85,000 per year which compares well internationally. Starting pay of €46,000 will be almost €20,000 higher than the 2011 rates.
• Over 3,700 newly qualified teachers have registered with the Teaching Council in 2023, with over 122,000 now on the Teaching Council register.

The vast majority of sanctioned teacher positions are filled. The rate of resignation and retirement is very low by any standard and is consistent with previous years.

Ireland’s education system is performing strongly, something that is supported by recent international testing. That is a tribute to the professionalism and dedication of our teachers. We need to continue to support our schools and maintain the high standards that have helped get us to where we are.

My Department continues to engage closely with education stakeholders to develop further, innovative measures to address teacher supply issues.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The recruitment and appointment of?teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for individual school authorities, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). In that regard, there are more than 3,700 individual employers (boards of management of primary schools and post-primary schools, as well as ETBs).

My Department intends to finalise an updated model on the demand for teachers in 2024. Additionally, a project initiated in 2023 which seeks to monitor vacant permanent and fixed-term positions within the system remains ongoing. This project continues to gather and analyse data while refining methodologies to ensure the reliability of data.

In circumstances where posts are unfilled for a period of time, or where a vacancy arises in a school due to a teacher taking leave, such vacancies may be filled by substitute teachers, on either a casual or non-casual contract basis.

Substitutable leave absences may be filled by schools in several ways. A substitute teacher may be recruited locally by a school, and a claim for payment for the teacher may be submitted to my Department, via the Online Claims System. Alternatively, the absence may be covered by schools under a number of schemes, which are managed locally by schools.

The Supervision and Substitution Scheme in primary and post-primary schools allows for the supervision of students during breaks and before and after school and allows for substitution to cover certain categories of teacher absences. With effect from the beginning of the 2013/14 school year, participation in the Supervision and Substitution scheme is compulsory for teachers, save for those who had availed of the opt-out arrangements before this date.

All schools therefore provide cover for a significant number of substitutable absences, arising over the school year, through the Supervision and Substitution scheme.

For primary schools, substitute teacher supply panels are also in place. For the 2023/24 school year, 590 substitute teacher supply posts have been allocated to 166 panels, covering nearly 2,900 schools. This scheme provides substitute cover for teachers employed in primary schools who are absent on short-term leave. Absences covered by the teacher supply panels are recorded locally by the schools and the schools are not required to claim for the substitutable leave to my Department.

For post-primary schools, Circular 0035/2023 provides for a Teaching Hours Extension scheme to be in place for the 2023/24 school year. This scheme provides post-primary schools with an alternative means of sourcing appropriately qualified substitute teaching cover to support teaching and learning in schools. Teachers on full teaching contracts of 22 hours can provide additional substitution cover, of up to 35 additional hours, for each term designated under the scheme. Absences covered under this scheme are also recorded locally by the schools and the schools are not required to claim for the substitutable leaves covered by this scheme to my Department.

The vast majority of sanctioned teacher positions are filled. The rate of resignation and retirement is very low by any standard and is consistent with previous years.

Ireland’s education system is performing strongly, something that is supported by recent international testing. That is a tribute to the professionalism and dedication of our teachers. We need to continue to support our schools and maintain the high standards that have helped get us to where we are.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The recruitment and appointment of?teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for individual school authorities, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). In that regard, there are more than 3,700 individual employers (boards of management of primary schools and post-primary schools, as well as ETBs).

It is a legal requirement for a teacher to register with the Teaching Council in order to receive a salary paid by the State. This ensures all teachers are qualified, capable and ethical professionals.

Schools are permitted to employ substitute teachers, who are not fully qualified teachers, when all attempts at recruiting a qualified substitute teacher have been unsuccessful.

Schools may only employ an unqualified substitute teacher for short periods up to a maximum of 5 days, as a last resort. My Department does not collect data on the recruitment of unqualified teachers by individual employers, as instances of their employment are not reported by school employers.

In addition, where posts are unfilled for a period of time, or where a vacancy arises in a school due to a teacher taking leave, such vacancies may be filled by substitute teachers, on either a casual or non-casual contract basis.

My Department intends to finalise an updated model on the demand for teachers in 2024. Additionally, a project initiated in 2023 which seeks to monitor vacant permanent and fixed-term positions within the system remains ongoing. This project continues to gather and analyse data while refining methodologies to ensure the reliability of these data.

Budget 2024 reflects this Government’s commitment to ongoing investment in the education system through various measures including the expansion of upskilling programs, free to teachers, aimed at increasing the number of qualified post-primary teachers in high-demand subjects and reducing out-of-field teaching. New programs in Irish, French, politics & society, and computer science will complement existing programs in maths, physics, and Spanish. Trinity College Dublin will deliver a new Irish upskilling program for post-primary teachers starting in late 2024, available at no cost to eligible teachers.

The vast majority of sanctioned teacher positions are filled. The rate of resignation and retirement is very low by any standard and is consistent with previous years.

Ireland’s education system is performing strongly, something that is supported by recent international testing. That is a tribute to the professionalism and dedication of our teachers. We need to continue to support our schools and maintain the high standards that have helped get us to where we are.

My Department continues to engage closely with education stakeholders to develop further, innovative measures to address teacher supply issues.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have qualified, engaged teachers available to support them in their learning is a priority area of action for the Government.

An increase in migration in recent decades has seen a more diverse society living in Ireland and attending our schools. It is important our teaching profession reflects the changes in diversity of the student population in schools. A number of initiatives and programmes are in place to address the level of diversity in the teaching profession.

The Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) supports access to initial teacher education from the target groups identified in the National Access Plan (NAP). The objectives of PATH 1 include increasing the number of students from under-represented groups entering Initial Teacher Education and to provide for more role models for students from these groups.

The current NAP is the fourth such plan and it runs from 2022 to 2028 and it builds on the vision of previous plans and ambitions for a more inclusive and diverse population in higher education.

In addition, my department has co-funded the Migrant Teacher Project for the provision of information, advice, training and support to migrant teachers who have qualified outside of Ireland, to help them to continue their profession in Ireland.

Budget 2024 reflects this Government’s commitment to ongoing investment including the creation of opportunities in the education system through various measures:

Introduction of a professional master’s of education incentive scheme for newly qualified teachers graduating in 2024. Eligible teachers can receive an incentive payment of up to €2,000, to be paid in 2025.

Expansion of upskilling programs, free to teachers, aimed at increasing the number of qualified teachers in high-demand subjects and reducing out-of-field teaching. New programs in Irish, French, politics & society, and computer science will complement existing programs in maths, physics, and Spanish. Trinity College Dublin will deliver a new Irish upskilling program for post-primary teachers starting in late 2024, available at no cost to eligible teachers.

Provision of an additional 1,000 posts of responsibility in the school system for the 2024/25 school year, recognising the vital role of school leaders in enhancing educational outcomes by fostering a positive school environment and empowering educators and learners within their communities.

In addition to these recently introduced measures, as Minister I have developed further initiatives to address teacher supply challenges, including:

• Approving 610 additional places on initial teacher education programs for primary level over the academic years 2023/24 and 2024/25.
• Ensuring flexibility in initial teacher education programs to allow student teachers to support schools, with over 2,700 registered under Route 5 with the Teaching Council in 2023, providing valuable substitute teaching support. Currently there are 3,600 registered under Route 5, the highest number ever.
• Continuation of primary substitute teacher supply panels in 2023/24, covering nearly 2,900 schools and providing substitute cover for short-term teacher absences.
• Encouraging retired teachers to provide substitute cover, resulting in a significant increase of 49% in teaching days provided between the 2021/22 and 2022/23 school years.
• Reduction of restrictions on job-sharing teachers and those on career breaks from working as substitutes.
• Enabling post-primary teachers to provide up to 35 additional hours of substitute cover per term in their qualified subject.

Teaching remains an attractive career choice. CAO first preference choices for post-primary teaching increased in 2023 by 14%, in addition to a 9% increase in 2022. CAO preferences for primary teaching showed increases at the closing date in February 2024 with overall mentions up 10% and first preferences increasing by 2% from 2023.

In 2024, there were 4,271 first preference applications for undergraduate teaching programmes, showing a trend largely consistent with recent years. Analysis of CAO applications spanning from 2017 to 2024 indicates a sustained and robust demand for undergraduate teaching programmes. On average, 6% of first preference applications during the period from 2017 to 2024 were for either primary or post-primary teaching programmes. Specifically, the percentage of first preference applications for undergraduate primary teaching programmes ranged between 2.9% and 3.8%, while those for post-primary undergraduate programmes ranged between 2.4% and 2.9%.

The ratio of first preference applications through the CAO for level 8 courses in 2022 shows that there were 1.5 applicants per place for education, with a higher demand for primary courses (2) than for post-primary places (1.5). The demand for primary ITE is higher than for all fields except for medicine (3.5) and veterinary medicine (5.2)

Currently starting pay for Primary teachers is over €41,000 and over €42,000 for post-primary teachers. The new pay deal, with all three teacher unions having recently voted in favour of, will mean that teachers’ starting salary will increase to €46,000 rising to a maximum of €85,000 per year which compares well internationally. Starting pay of €46,000 will be almost €20,000 higher than the 2011 rates.

Over 3,700 newly qualified teachers have registered with the Teaching Council in 2023, with over 122,000 now on the Teaching Council register.

The vast majority of sanctioned teacher positions are filled. The rate of resignation and retirement is very low by any standard and is consistent with previous years.

Ireland’s education system is performing strongly, something that is supported by recent international testing. That is a tribute to the professionalism and dedication of our teachers. We need to continue to support our schools and maintain the high standards that have helped get us to where we are.

My Department continues to engage closely with education stakeholders to develop further, innovative measures to address teacher supply issues.