Teacher Qualifications

Last updated: Wed, Aug 16th, 2017 1:38:18 pm

The numbers and classifications of teaching staff in the school are decided by the Board of Management from time to time, subject to the prior approval of the Minister for Education and Skills.

For appointment to a Community or Comprehensive school, a teacher must be eligible for registration as a second level teacher by the Teaching Council. Full details of registration requirements are set out on the Teaching Council website. Relevant DES circulars for appointing qualified teachers are as follows:

• CL31/2011: Teacher Recruitment Registration & Qualifications

• CL 52/2013: Procedures on commencement of Section 30

• CL 17/2008: Teacher Appointment Procedure

Appointments of teachers in Community and Comprehensive Schools are "Subject Specific". This means that the teacher to be appointed must have the subjects specified in the job specification to degree level.

In exceptional circumstances as set out in Appendix A of CL 52/2013 unregistered teachers may be appointed for short periods and may be remunerated at unqulified teacher rates. 

Eligibility for appointment as a Learning Support Teacher requires:

• Eligibility for Registration as a Second Level Teacher as above

• An approved qualification in Special Education

In appointing teachers to cater for students with Special Educational Needs preference should be given to applicants who, while suitable in all other respects, hold a relevant post-graduate qualification in the area of special needs education. This does not preclude the appointment of otherwise qualified teachers to teach students with special educational needs. (see DES CL PPT 06/04)