Rules on the employment of qualified teachers abroad relaxed to address staff shortage

Education Minister Norma Foley hopes that up to 350 positions can be filled through the emergency measure during the 2021/22 school year.

It allows qualified teachers abroad to complete their integration in Ireland.

It is particularly relevant for Irish graduates who have studied and graduated abroad and who may wish to return home now for employment.

Irish teachers graduating abroad often complained about the bureaucracy and delays required to gain recognition to take up a job at home.

The shortage of teachers is a growing problem, especially at the post-primary level where enrollment is increasing and the choice of subjects is widening.

The Covid pandemic has exacerbated problems with the supply of teachers, where schools have had particular difficulties finding replacements.

There will be short and long term vacancies in schools, including supervisory and back-up positions, to be filled throughout the year 2021/22.

The new measure was recently promulgated by Ms Foley with the President of the Pedagogical Council, Seán McMahon, and the Director of the Pedagogical Council, Tomás Ó Ruairc.

It is part of a package designed to speed up and streamline the process of teacher recognition to address shortages.

The Pedagogical Council has already appealed to all registered teachers who are able to provide more substitutions and supervision or fill vacancies, to make themselves available, if possible,

Mr O’Ruairc said they are working to maximize the available pool of registered teachers to help schools meet their recruitment, supervision and replacement requirements.

“Throughout every aspect of our streamlined processes, we expedite the registration and vetting of eligible teachers in accordance with our statutory role and regulations.

“The Pedagogical Council will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Education and all stakeholders to support our school communities in this process.