Frequently Asked Questions about Registration and Renewal of Registration
1. How do I know if I am registered with The Teaching Council?
You can check your registration status and all the details the Council holds in relation to you, using the online Registered Teacher login facility.
2. Do I need a password in order to use the online access to the Register?
Yes. In order to use the online Registered Teacher login facility, you will need to have your registration number and password. If you do not have your password, you can generate a new one using a combination of your registration number, your PPS number, and your date of birth. Passwords must be 7 characters using a mixture of alpha and numeric characters, e.g. George27.
3. I have tried to change my password so as to renew online. I am receiving an error message. What should I do?
When the details you enter to generate a new password do not match those held on the Register, your request to change your password will be rejected, for security reasons.
Before contacting the Council you should check that you have:
· entered the correct details in the appropriate box: registration number; PPS number; date of birth.
· inserted no spaces in your PPS number.
· used a capital letter(s) for the letter(s) character at the end of our PPS number.
If having checked the above and you are still experiencing difficulty, please email your query to helpdesk@teachingcouncil.ie, including your registration number and details of the error message you have received.
4. I did not receive my registration renewal form. Can a second one be issued?
As an alternative, you may wish to renew online. In order to do this, you will need your registration number and password. In the event that you do not have your password, the online facility will allow you to generate a new one using a combination of your registration number and other personal details (see question 2 for further information).
If you still require a replacement renewal form, please email your request to renewals@teachingcouncil.ie and a replacement will be issued to you (as part of a weekly batch mailing). Please include your registration number and full postal address in the email.
5. How can I pay my registration renewal fee?
Registration renewal fees may be paid using the following payment options:
These should be made payable to The Teaching Council.
Registered teachers wishing to pay their registration renewal fee by Visa/MasterCard/Laser card should select this payment option on their Registration Renewal Form. Alternatively, they may choose to renew online
6. I’ve tried paying my registration renewal fee online but there appears to be a problem and my payment has not been processed.
Any queries in relation to online renewals should be referred to technical support at helpdesk@teachingcouncil.ie. When emailing, please provide your registration number and as much detail as possible in relation to the technical issues encountered.
7. What will happen if I don’t renew my registration?
If you do not renew, your registration with The Teaching Council cannot be maintained and your name will be removed from the Register in accordance with Section 34 of The Teaching Council Act, 2001.
8. I received a blue form in my registration renewal documentation which allows me to apply to have my name removed from the Register. Is registration optional?
The blue form is only intended for use by persons who are no longer teaching and who do not intend to return to teaching in the foreseeable future, such as those who have recently retired or resigned. The form allows these persons to apply to have their names removed from the Register. If you are currently teaching, or wish to be considered for employment as a teacher, it is advisable that you maintain your registration with The Teaching Council.
9. I would like to register with The Teaching Council but why do I have to pay a fee?
The fee is needed in order to fund the Council in carrying out its work. The Council is a self-funding body and receives no State funding. It is the norm that professional bodies are funded by the members of that profession. For example, the Medical Council is funded by doctors; An Bord Altranais is funded by nurses, etc. In the case of The Teaching Council, the fee underpins the Council’s status as an autonomous regulatory body.
10. Where did the figure of €90 come from?
The fee of €90 was based on projected expenditure levels*. The Council has maintained the same fee since 2008 and it is lower than average when compared with the fees being charged by other professional bodies in Ireland. Furthermore, the fee can be claimed against tax as a work expense so the net fee is closer to €53 for those paying the higher rate of tax (see the next question for more information about the tax credit).
* For further information on key areas of expenditure please see question 16.
11. What must I do to claim the tax credit?
In 2009, all teachers who renewed their registration with The Teaching Council by 30 September 2009 had their tax credits automatically increased in December by the Revenue Commissioners. In practice, this means that they had their allowable flat-rate expenses increased by €90 and this should have been reflected in their December pay slip. For teachers paying the higher rate of tax, the net benefit is €36.90. The Revenue Commissioners have informed the Council that this tax allowance has been automatically carried forward into 2010 for those teachers. Teachers who renewed registration after 1 October 2009 must contact their local tax office to claim the tax deduction.
Any queries in relation to the tax allowance should be directed to your local tax office (www.revenue.ie). Local tax offices have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that teachers are entitled to this credit.
12. I am a part-time teacher/I do only occasional substitute teaching. Is there a partial fee applicable?
At present, there is a standard renewal fee and the Council’s fee structure does not allow for reduced fees to be levied. This is because registration provides a license to teach, regardless of how frequently one teaches.
13. I expect to retire in August. Do I need to pay the full fee?
At present, the Council’s fee structure does not allow for a partial fee to be levied.
Following commencement of Section 30 of The Teaching Council Act, 2001 retired teachers will need to be registered should they wish to do any substitution or temporary work.
14. How does the Council spend the money it receives from teachers through the fee?
The money received from teachers through the registration renewal fee is used to fund the work of the Council as it implements its statutory functions. The Council’s audited financial statements for the years ended 31 December 2006, 31 December 2007 and 31 December 2008 are available here.
15. Will the fee increase every year?
Based on projected expenditure levels, it is hoped that the fee can remain unchanged for at least the next two year.
16. I am not registered with The Teaching Council. Why do I have to register?
Only teachers included on the Register can be employed in recognised schools and paid from State monies once Section 30 of The Teaching Council Act, 2001 comes into effect. The Council has been advised by the Department of Education and Science that the legislative process for the enactment of Section 30 has commenced. The Department of Education and Science also requires all new school appointees to be registered.
That being said, the decision on whether or not to register is a matter for each and every teacher, having regard to his or her circumstances and the legal situation.
17. What is the situation with regard to Section 30 of The Teaching Council Act, 2001 relating to mandatory registration?
Section 30 of The Teaching Council Act, 2001 requires that teachers receiving a State-funded salary must be registered. This section of the Act has not yet been brought into force by the Minister for Education and Science. The commencement date for Section 30 of The Teaching Council Act, 2001, is a matter for the Minister. The Council has been advised that the legislative process for the enactment of Section 30 has commenced.
18. I am currently on a career break? Do I need to maintain my registration?
It is advisable that you maintain your registration. However, you may choose to let your registration lapse while you are on a career break. If you choose to do so, you will need to apply to the Council for registration, in accordance with Section 31(5) of The Teaching Council Act, 2001 and The Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2009, at least four months prior to the end of your career break. At that point, you would be required to undergo the full application process including the submission of transcripts and a process of Garda vetting.
19. I am currently out of work? Do I need to maintain my registration?
If you are currently seeking employment as a teacher, it is advisable that you maintain your registration in order to facilitate your speedy recruitment in the event of you being offered a position. If you choose to let your registration lapse, and you wish to apply for registration at a later date, you will need to apply in accordance with Section 31(5) of The Teaching Council Act, 2001 and The Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2009. This will require the submission of transcripts and other documentation and a process of Garda Vetting, and may take up to four months to complete.
20. I have recently retired. Do I need to renew my registration?
If you wish to be considered for employment as a teacher in a substitute or temporary capacity, it is advisable that you maintain your registration. Following commencement of Section 30 of The Teaching Council Act, 2001, retired teachers will need to be registered should they wish to teach.
21. My registration lapsed and I need to register again. Why does the Council look for original documentation when I was registered once before?
The Council seeks original documentation (e.g. transcripts of college/university results) in cases where a teacher has not previously presented their documents to the Council. This situation applies to almost all teachers who were teaching prior to 28 March 2006 and registered under section 31(2) and (3) of The Teaching Council Act, 2001. Some teachers registered under section 31(5) may also be affected by this requirement.
