Vocational School Teacher
The Teaching Council of Ireland is the competent authority for the regulation of the profession of a vocational school teacher at post primary level for employment in schools funded by the Department of Education and Skills in Ireland. Under Section 7 of the teaching Council Act 2001, the Council maintains a register of teachers recognised to practice the profession, has developed codes of professional conduct for teachers, sets out standards for the pre-service qualifications and continuous professional development, acts as a designated authority under EC 2005/36 for the recognition of qualifications form outside the State, and is responsible for disciplinary matters relating to the conduct of the profession. The role in regard to an authorisation scheme requires the provision of information concerning registration as a teacher, maintenance of a register of those with approved qualifications, operation of aptitude tests and adaptation periods in accordance with EC 2005/36, and responding to queries on registration. The Council also processes Garda Vetting procedures as a first point of contact for new teachers i.e gathering and forwarding applications to the Garda Central Vetting Unit, and issuing the results to applicants once a GCVU has made a decision. Please find link to the Teaching Council of Ireland website below.
Licensing Procedures
For establishment purposes (the provision of a regulated profession on a stable and continuing basis) to work as a teacher in schools funded by the Department of Education & Skills in Ireland, service providers are required to be registered with the Teaching Council and have their qualifications approved by that authority. This is in accordance with the terms of EC 2005/36 and with EU case law on the Directives governing the mutual recognition of professional qualifications. Individuals apply directly to the Teaching Council for authorisation for establishment to practice a regulated profession on a stable and continuing basis in Ireland.
The requirements for a EU national seeking to practise in Ireland are that he/she holds a qualification entitling him/her to practice that same profession in another Member State. In principle mutual recognition of the qualification must be granted. However where a substantial gap is identified between the applicant’s qualifications and experience and those required in Ireland, the competent authority may require that gap to be addressed by a compensatory measure – generally a choice between an aptitude test or an adaptation period (of supervised practice during which the applicant my be subject to further training and assessment). There are timeframes for responses set out in the EC Directive 2005/36 and in SI 139/08.
The application procedures are set out on the website of the Council. The process requires completion of an application form, the submission of transcripts, proof of identity, evidence of character, other documentary evidence and an application fee.
Under the EU case law and the terms of the Directive, providers may not practice a regulated profession on a stable and continuing basis without seeking registration with the Competent Authority
Other formalities and procedures a provider has to comply with include: that new teachers are required to be vetted by the Garda Central Vetting Unit. In the case of teachers this is cordinated centrally, with the Teaching Council of Ireland forwarding the application on behalf of the teacher to the Garda Central Vetting Unit, and in turn notifies the applicant of the result. The Teaching Council of Ireland has no role in the vetting process of the Gardai.
If you are a teacher who is looking to provide services in a vocational school in Ireland, you may obtain further information in the following links of the Teaching Council of Ireland website below.
Importance notice for those commencing a teacher education qualification outside of Ireland in 2011
Please find the contact details for the Teaching Council of Ireland in the link below.
