Addressing teacher supply shortages
A Department of Education review of teacher payroll in March 2025 found that there were 1,847 vacant posts across schools in the State.
Of this figure, 1,228 posts were at primary level, and 619 were at secondary level. This is an increase from November 2024 when a similar review found that there were approximately vacant 1,600 posts.
An October 2025 survey by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) found that 43 per cent of Gaelscoileanna, 35 per cent of Deis band two, and 32 per cent of Deis band one schools reported long-term vacancies. This compares with 10 per cent of mainstream schools.
Of 565 schools that responded to the survey, 19 per cent stated that they had been unable to fill all vacant permanent, temporary, and long-term substitute positions. Additionally, 60 per cent reported that they had been unable to source a substitute for an absence.
The INTO also finds that the practice of splitting classes to cover for absent colleagues “remains wide spread”.
Of responding schools, 215 reported splitting classes, resulting in 735 days of disruption to children’s learning in the first six weeks of the school year.
The INTO asserts: “The shortage of teachers continues to disproportionately impact children with special educational needs. In addition to unfilled posts in special schools, children in special schools are more likely to be taught by unqualified substitutes.”
INTO General Secretary John Boyle criticised the Department of Education and Youth for the teacher supply shortage: “They have failed miserably to back up their claim that this Government is ‘committed’ to ensuring that every child has access to qualified and engaged teachers who are dedicated to supporting their learning.”
To address teacher supply shortages, the revised Teaching Council Registration Regulations were signed into law in October 2025. The revised regulations reinstate a mechanism whereby those who have completed teaching qualifications outside the State but have not completed any mandated period of induction of post-qualification induction in that jurisdiction, can complete their induction in the Republic of Ireland up to 31 December 2027.
The revised regulations also formally incorporate the mechanism enabling student teachers to register with the Teaching Council, a measure first introduced in 2023. This allows student teachers in the third or fourth year of their programmes to undertake limited substitute teaching work.
Upon announcing the measures, then-Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee TD said: “These measures ensure that we continue to maintain high professional standards while also addressing supply challenges in our schools.
“They represent a practical and balanced approach to supporting our teaching workforce and ensuring that appropriately qualified teachers remain available to students across the country.”
