Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Coaching and Developing Others Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

The Work

Teachers at primary level generally teach all areas of the primary curriculum and are generalist rather than specialist teachers, as the primary curriculum is an integrated curriculum. They have a large responsibility of the class and with their teaching techniques.  
 
Out of school hours they are expected to prepare lessons, and keep up with new developments in specific subjects or in education as a whole. Teaching can be a quite stressful job but also quite rewarding.

There are two main entry routes for persons wishing to register on the basis of qualifications in primary school teaching (Junior Infants to Sixth Class) awarded in Ireland:

• A recognised Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree.
• A recognised Graduate/Higher Diploma in Education (Primary) in combination with a primary degree at level 8 or a qualification at level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

Courtesy of The teaching council

A list of providers of approved programmes is available here.

Applications for concurrent (undergraduate) programmes are made through the Central Applications Office (CAO) and selection is based on the CAO points system. Mature applicants should check with the relevant college/university regarding application procedures. Consecutive (postgraduate) programmes in primary teacher education are advertised in the national media with details of closing dates and application procedures. Places on the programme are awarded on the basis of qualifications, an interview and an oral examination in Irish.

Whichever entry route is chosen, applicants must have achieved prescribed examination results at Leaving Certificate or, Northern Ireland GCSE/GCE A Level examinations. Further details are available from the website of the Department of Education and Skills.

Other Applicants wishing to be registered on the basis of qualifications as a Montessori teacher must meet the qualifications requirements set out in Route Four of the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2016 and The Teaching Council [Registration] (Amendment) Regulations 2016.

Under Department of Education and Skills regulations, such teachers are eligible for employment as a teacher in restricted school settings, i.e. in certain categories of special schools and in certain classes in mainstream schools where Irish is not a curricular requirement.

Click here to view the Pathways to Teaching Infographic.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students for whom they are responsible.
• Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
• Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
• Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
• Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
• Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
• Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
• Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
• Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems, or special academic interests.
• Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.

Further Information

• Teacher - Primary School - from: GradIreland

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

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.

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

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.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €40k - €75k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role. Revised incremental salary scale for Primary teachers who entered teaching on or after 1 January 2011. 

Data Source(s):
Education.ie/ INTO/ Indeed/ Glassdoor

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

• Irish National Teachers Organisation

  • 35 Parnell Square, Dublin 1
  • (01) 804 7700 / LoCall 1850 708 708
  • Click Here

• St. Patrick's College of Education

  • Drumcondra, Dublin 9
  • (01) 884 2000
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• The Teaching Council

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

• Primary Administration Section

  • Department of Education and Science, Cornamaddy, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
  • (090) 648 3600
  • Click Here

• An Foras Pátrúnachta

  • Block K3, Maynooth Business Campus, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
  • (01) – 6294110
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here