Newly qualified teachers may become eligible for a permanent contract after just one year in a post, in a new measure announced by the Minister for Education.
The change is designed to reduce precarity and casualisation in the profession and to boost teacher supply by encouraging more qualified teachers to stay and work in Ireland.
Helen McEntee has announced the decision as hundreds of teachers prepare to attend their annual trade union conferences, the first of which – the INTO Congress – gets under way in Galway this afternoon.
“I am determined to address job security and make teaching a more attractive, sustainable career”, Ms McEntee said.
“Allowing newly qualified teachers who are starting in September to gain a permanent contract a year earlier will help teachers to place their careers on a more stable footing much sooner than before. This will provide teachers with the certainty that they need, particularly when applying for mortgages.”
The issue of precarious employment is a significant one for younger teachers, especially those working at post-primary level. They complain that despite a chronic shortage of teachers, it can be difficult for them to find secure full-time work in schools.
Under the new regulations, teachers who are reappointed to the same post after one year will be awarded a permanent contract, provided the post remains viable.
Currently, teachers require two consecutive contracts in order to be considered for a permanent one.
At a time when many newly qualified teachers are tempted abroad by higher salaries and job security in countries such as the United Arab Emirates or Australia, the Department of Education believes this new measure will promote teacher retention by offering earlier job security.
Ms McEntee has also promised to examine how to streamline the process whereby eligible teachers who qualified outside of Ireland can gain professional recognition here.
Many teachers who trained abroad complain of red tape and restrictions that prevent them from accessing secure employment here.
“Enabling eligible teachers who qualified outside of Ireland to apply for registration and complete their induction here in Ireland is another practical, common-sense measure that will encourage more teachers to work and start their careers here in Ireland”, the minister said.
“I am committed to building on today’s announcements and introduce further measures in the coming months to further address teacher supply.”
The Department said detailed guidelines and implementation procedures for the new policy will be developed with the support of education stakeholders, including teacher unions and management body representatives.
