Written answers
Thursday, 12 June 2025
Department of Education and Skills
School Staff
Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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127. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of newly qualified primary school teachers employed in the State in each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31302/25]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Teaching remains an attractive profession in Ireland and there are now more teachers employed in primary schools across the country than ever before. My Department publishes data on teacher numbers in June of each year and is available for the deputy to view on the Departments’ website: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/teacher-statistics/
The data show that the numbers employed at primary level has risen from 35,700 teachers in the 2014/15 school year to 46,668 teachers employed in the previous school year 2023/24 - an increased headcount of 30% in the 10-year period.
| School Year | Total Primary Teachers employed |
|---|---|
| 2023/2024 | 46,668 |
| 2022/2023 | 42,478 |
| 2021/2022 | 42,999 |
| 2020/2021 | 42,012 |
| 2019/2020 | 41,565 |
| 2018/2019 | 40,726 |
| 2017/2018 | 39,697 |
| 2016/2017 | 38,189 |
| 2015/2016 | 36,806 |
| 2014/2015 | 35,700 |
The increase over the years has varied depending on funding available and the staffing schedule but has averaged 1,200 additional teachers per year coming into the payroll system.
During the same period, the number of teachers registered with the Teaching council under route 1 increased from 41,696 in 2014/15 to 55,417 in 2023/24 school year, an increase of 33%. While this is different to the numbers employed it shows the overall supply of Primary teachers is keeping pace with the level of demand over the period, with an average of 1,500 new primary teachers registering each year.
| The number of Primary NQTs who qualified and were eligible to apply for Teaching Council registration under Route 1- Primary | |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1855 |
| 2023 | 1976 |
| 2022 | 1898 |
| 2021 | 1940 |
| 2020 | 1864 |
| 2019 | 1751 |
| 2018 | 1844 |
| 2017 | 1717 |
| 2016 | 2002 |
| 2015 | 916 |
The cost of living for all young professionals starting their careers remains a challenge, especially in the Dublin region. As Minister for Education and Youth, one of my key priorities is ensuring teaching is an attractive career. In February of this year, I announced the launch of the Professional master’s in education (PME) refund scheme. This scheme is a positive step for newly qualified teachers who completed their PME in 2024, as it helps reduce some of the financial burden as they begin their careers.
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