Press release
Minister Foley announces new upskilling programme for post-primary teachers in Irish
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Education Norma Foley has today announced that Trinity College Dublin, alongside Marino Institute of Education, has secured a contract to offer an innovative two-year programme aimed at enhancing the skills of registered post-primary teachers in Irish. Programme participants will be able to register to teach Irish to Leaving Certificate level in schools post-graduation.
The programme, beginning later this year, will be provided in a flexible and innovative manner to enable broad participation, accommodating teachers in both full and part-time roles, as well as those situated across the country.
This programme, which will be delivered by Trinity College Dublin[1] and Marino Institute of Education, will be delivered in a way that enables participants to engage in new learning experiences across face-to-face, online and practice-based learning.
Minister Foley said:
“I am pleased to announce the establishment of this innovative new upskilling programme in Irish. This is an exciting opportunity for teachers to upskill in a flexible way, without having to pay any fees, to increase their own opportunities for employment whilst addressing recruitment challenges in Irish. I would strongly urge any registered post-primary teacher with a potential interest in Irish to look into this programme and assess their options further with the relevant Higher Education Institution.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate Trinity College Dublin and Marino Institute of Education for coming forward with this programme to help improve post-primary teacher supply in Irish.
“I look forward to seeing this new upskilling programme up and running alongside the current programmes in mathematics, physics and Spanish which have been undertaken by over 900 teachers in total to date. The department will also shortly publish tenders for additional upskilling programmes in subjects where there are identified needs for additional teachers including computer science, French, and politics & society. These upskilling programmes are one of a number of measures the department is implementing to help ensure that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have qualified, engaged teachers available to support them in their learning.”
This upskilling programme in Irish will be open to registered post-primary teachers irrespective of employment status who are not already registered in the subject of Irish.
Similar to previous upskilling programmes supported by the department, that is, mathematics, physics and Spanish, places on this upskilling programme will be provided free of charge to participating teachers with the funding awarded intended to cover fee costs. Over 900 post-primary teachers are currently undertaking, or have completed upskilling programmes.
Funding will support two cycles (two intakes) of the programme, commencing in December 2024 and September 2025 respectively. The programme is funded for both intakes and it is expected to cater for over 100 teachers during this period.
The application processes will open shortly and applications should be made directly to the appropriate HEI. The programme will enable participants to meet the Teaching Council’s curricular subject requirements in Irish. On graduation from the programme participants will be able to register to teach Irish at the highest level in post-primary education.
A further expansion in the number of upskilling programmes available to post-primary teachers will commence. The department will shortly publish tenders for upskilling programmes in French, politics and society, and computer science. Funding for these programmes was provided in Budget 2024.
[1] Subject to internal approval.