Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Coaching and Developing Others Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Performing Administrative Activities Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

The Work

Works as part of the Inspectorate Team under a lead inspector. Duties typically include:

• Preparing for inspection visits
• Observing class lessons
• Talking with teachers and pupils
• Recording observations
• Assessing school organisation
• Checking pupils’ work
• Producing reports
• Delivering feedback
• Participation in meetings

The Inspectorate is the division of the Department of Education and Skills responsible for the evaluation of primary and post-primary schools and centres for education.

Inspectors also provide advice on a range of educational issues to school communities, policy makers in the Department and to the wider educational system.

All inspectors are experienced teachers. Many have also worked as school principals, deputy principals or as advisors with school support services. Others have experience in curriculum design and the implementation of assessment practices, in school management and in educational research.

What The Inspectorate Does:

• Provides an assurance of quality and public accountability in the education system
• Carries out inspections in schools and centres for education
• Conducts national evaluations
• Promotes best practice and school improvement by advising teachers, principals and boards of management in schools
• Publishes inspection reports on individual schools and centres for education
• Reports on curriculum provision, teaching, learning and assessment generally in the educational system
• Promotes the Irish language
• Provides advice to policy makers in the Department of Education and Skills and to the wider educational system. 

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Evaluate curricula, teaching methods, and programs to determine their effectiveness, efficiency, and use, and to ensure that school activities comply with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Observe teaching methods and examine learning materials to evaluate and standardise curricula and teaching techniques, and to determine areas where improvement is needed.
• Counsel and provide guidance to students regarding personal, academic, vocational, or behavioral issues.
• Collaborate with teachers to develop and maintain curriculum standards, develop mission statements, and set performance goals and objectives.
• Direct and coordinate activities of teachers, administrators, and support staff at schools, public agencies, and institutions.
• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate primary and supplemental staff.
• Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities, policies, and student behavioral or learning problems.
• Enforce discipline and attendance rules.
• Create school improvement plans by using student performance data.
• Set educational standards and goals, and help establish policies and procedures to carry them out.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

The Department of Education and Skills is responsible for the Education Inspectorate in the Republic of Ireland.

Inspectors are typically former teachers with significant experience in the school system. 

Entry to the Inspectorate is by open competition via publicjobs.ie.

Second level Teacher 

Studying to become a teacher is known as Initial teacher education (ITE).

You can study to be a teacher either by doing an undergraduate degree (concurrent programme) or a two-year postgraduate Professional Master of Education (PME) (consecutive programme).

Applications for undergraduate ITE courses can be made through the Central Applications Office (CAO).

A full list of accredited ITE programmes can be found here.

In addition to the general entry requirements of the 3rd level institutions, there may be additional entry requirements for particular post primary teaching programmes. Please refer to the individual entry requirements for your chosen programme for more details.

Click here to view the Pathways to Teaching infographic.

REGISTRATION CONDITIONS

Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs)

NQTs need to go through a one-year induction programme after they have qualified

NQTs also need to register their qualifications with The Teaching Council - Full details here. 

All new teachers will also need to be Garda vetted, as they are responsible for children.

Post Qualification Employment (PQE)

PQE is a standard condition for all newly qualified second level teachers. 300 hours teaching experience must be completed at a recognised post-primary school or Centre for Education, and verified by the institution principal. At least two-thirds (200 hours) of the hours must be spent teaching a post-primary curricular subject to a class of students within their regular timetable. The other 100 hours may be carried out teaching non-timetable related activities. Newly qualified post-primary teachers have 3 years from the date of registration to complete the PQE.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €55k - €159k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Public Jobs/ PSA/ Gov.ie / Oireachtas

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Despite a strong employment growth in the five-year period for this occupation (which includes special needs teachers, nursery managers/owners and school principals), employment levels fell slightly since 2021.

Budget 2023 announced that by the end of 2023 there will be 686 additional posts for special education teachers. This occupation has a high share of persons employed aged 55 years and over which may see increased replacement demand in future years.

• Department of Education and Skills

  • Marlborough St, Dublin 1
  • (01) 889 6400
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Public Appointments Service

  • Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
  • (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• The Teaching Council

  • Block A, Maynooth Business Campus, Maynooth Co. Kildare
  • (01) 651 7900
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here