Introduction to the Committees of the Teaching Council

The Council has established a number of committees, working groups and panels.

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee conducts the business of the Council between general meetings. Its specific functions include the following:

• Acting as a co-ordinating forum to keep the Council aware of the activities of committees. Co-ordinating action on overarching issues as they arise
• Acting on behalf of the Council when it is not possible to arrange a general meeting
• Making interim orders on behalf of the Council in urgent situations where the Council is unable to meet at short notice
• Reporting regularly to the Council

The Executive Committee has eleven members:

•  Lily Cronin (Chairperson)
• Gerry Malone (Deputy Chairperson)
• Noel Buckley
• Emer Egan
• Ciarán Flynn
• Dr Jim Gleeson
• Fergal McCarthy
• Anne McElduff
• Pat McQualie
• Dr Seán Rowland
• Seán Rowley

THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE

Under Part 5 of the Teaching Council Act, the Council, or any person, may apply to the Investigating Committee for an inquiry into the fitness to teach of a registered teacher in cases where:

• The teacher has failed to comply with or has contravened the Teaching Council Act, 2001; the Education Act, 1998; the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000; the VEC Acts, 1930 to 1999; or any Regulations made under those Acts
• The teacher’s behaviour constitutes professional misconduct as defined by the Teaching Council Act, 2001
• The Teacher’s registration is erroneous due to a false or fraudulent declaration or misrepresentation
• She/he is medically unfit to teach

The Council will not routinely become involved in day-to-day contractual or disciplinary matters, or in hearing complaints which can be more appropriately dealt with at local level.

The Investigating Committee has eleven members:

• Gerry Malone (Chairperson)
• Antoinette Buggle
• Elaine Devlin
• Oliver Donohoe
• Ciarán Flynn
• Vivienne MacSweeney
• Anita McCann
• Dympna Mulkerrins
• Tim O'Meara
• Bernadine O'Sullivan
• Milo Walsh

THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE

When appropriate, this Committee conducts hearings on complaints referred to it by the Investigating Committee. These hearings may lead to a teacher's registration being withdrawn temporarily or permanently.

The Disciplinary Committee has thirteen members:

• Lily Cronin  (Chairperson)
• Christy Carroll
• Eileen Flynn
• Dr Jim Gleeson
• Dr Pádraig Hogan
• Christy Maginn
• Fergal McCarthy
• Pat McQuaile
• Alice O'Connell
• Maree O'Connell
• Micheál Ó Gríofa
• Eleanor Petrie
• Dr Seán Rowland 

THE REGISTRATION COMMITTEE

The Registration Committee advises the Council and makes recommendations in all areas relating to registration. This work includes setting requirements, standards and regulations for registration; terms of reference for application panels; appointing subject assessors and advisors; appeals processes and making decisions regarding appeals. The committee also considers issues relating to evidence of character and probation.

The Registration Committee has thirteen members:

• Seán Rowley (Chairperson)
• Michael Barry
• Jerry Cronin
• Oliver Donohoe
• Ciarán Flynn
• Professor Kathy Hall
• Micheál Kilcrann
• Dr Kevin Marshall
• Fergal McCarthy
• Dympna Mulkerrins
• Dr Anne O'Gara
• Tim O'Meara
• Bernadine O'Sullivan

THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

This Committee drafts submissions and makes recommendations to the Council on a number of areas.  Amongst other areas, this involves drafting Codes of Professional Conduct for Teachers; advising on the continuing professional development needs of teachers; and on developing the Teaching Council's research and communications strategy.

The Education Committee has thirteen members:

• Noel Buckley (Chairperson)
• Christy Carroll
• Jerry Cronin
• Emer Egan
• Dr Jim Gleeson
• Professor Kathy Hall
• Susie Hall
• Dr Pádraig Hogan
• Micheál Kilcrann
• Vivienne MacSweeney
• Micheál Ó Gríofa
• Tim O'Meara
• Dr Pauric Travers

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Finance Committee oversees the Council's financial affairs including the preparation of the annual budget, the ongoing monitoring of income and expenditure and the Council’s general administrative arrangements.

Its functions include:

• Reviewing and reporting on the financial affairs of the Council
• Considering the annual budget
• Supervising the disbursement of funds
• Reviewing and making recommendations with respect to the Council’s fees and special levies
• Liaising with and preparing accounts for the auditors; and reporting to the Council on its financial affairs

The Finance Committee has six members:

• Fergal McCarthy (Chairperson)
• Mary Brennan
• Noel Buckley
• Antoinette Buggle
• Dr Kevin Marshall
• Anita McCann

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee monitors the systems, financial controls and procedures of the Council to ensure they operate in an orderly and efficient manner.

The Audit Committee has five members:

• Ciarán Flynn (Chairperson)
• Michael Barry
• Mary Brennan
• Emer Egan
• Vivienne MacSweeney

EVIDENCE OF CHARACTER PANEL

The Council's Evidence of Character Panel, which reports to Council and to the Registration Committee, assesses disclosures of convictions returned by the Garda Central Vetting Unit.

The Evidence of Character Panel has seven members:

• Eleanor Petrie (Chairperson)
• Antoinette Buggle
• Elaine Devlin
• Oliver Donohoe
• Maree O'Connell
• Tim O'Meara
• Milo Walsh

PRIMARY APPLICATIONS PANEL

This panel reports to Council and to the Registration Committee. It reviews the recommendations of external assessors regarding the suitability of applicants' qualifications.

The Primary Applications Panel has seven members:

• Micheál Ó Gríofa (Chairperson)
• Christy Carroll
• Emer Egan
• Christy Maginn
• Anita McCann
• Seán Rowley
• Dr Pauric Travers

POST-PRIMARY APPLICATIONS PANEL

This panel reports to Council and to the Registration Committee. It reviews the recommendations of external assessors regarding the suitability of applicants' qualifications.

The Post-Primary applications Panel has seven members:

• Bernadine O'Sullivan (Chairperson)
• Michael Barry
• Mary Brennan
• Lily Cronin
• Dr Pádraig Hogan
• Vivienne Mac Sweeney
• Vacancy