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Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD, today announced the extension of two key initiatives aimed at supporting schools in securing additional teaching and substitute cover for the upcoming academic year.
The measures—part of the Department of Education and Youth’s ongoing teacher supply strategy—include:
- Continuation of the Teaching Hours Extension Scheme, allowing post-primary teachers on full 22-hour contracts to provide up to 35 extra teaching hours per term for substitution purposes.
- Relaxation of substitution limits for teachers on career break or participating in the job-sharing scheme, enabling them to provide additional cover in both primary and post-primary schools.
“These measures are practical steps to support schools experiencing staffing pressures,” said Minister McEntee. “While not long-term solutions, they provide immediate relief and flexibility to ensure students have access to qualified teachers.”
She added that teacher recruitment remains strong, with over 79,000 qualified teachers currently employed in Irish schools and a low vacancy rate of just 2.1% as of November 2024. More than 3,700 new teachers registered in 2024 alone.
The minister also highlighted a range of broader reforms to strengthen the profession, including:
- Initiatives to help newly qualified teachers secure permanent contracts more quickly
- Support for teachers trained abroad to register in Ireland
- Expansion of upskilling programmes and STEM bursaries
- Ongoing development of a national education workforce plan
Plans are also underway for an education convention to bring together stakeholders and shape the future direction of Ireland’s education system.
