Fitness to Teach Inquiries

Section 43 (1) of the Teaching Council Acts 2001- 2015 provides that the Disciplinary Committee of the Teaching Council shall hold an inquiry into the fitness to teach of a registered teacher, in respect of a complaint referred to it by the Investigating Committee. This would arise where that Committee is of the opinion that there is a prima facia case to warrant further action being taken in relation to a complaint.

For the most part inquiries are held in the offices of the Teaching Council in Maynooth, Co Kildare and take place in public unless a witness or the teacher, the subject of the inquiry, requests that all or part of the inquiry is held in private and that the Panel of the Disciplinary Committee conducting the inquiry is satisfied that it is appropriate to do so.

Calendar of Inquiry Hearings

2022

Fitness to Teach Inquiry 12th August 2022

In accordance with Part 5 of the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015, an inquiry concerning a registered teacher was held on Friday 01 April 2022. Arising from same, the Panel of the Disciplinary Committee of the Teaching Council made findings against the teacher concerned and will convene to announce these findings and hear submissions regarding potential sanctions, on Friday 12 August 2022 in the offices of the Teaching Council, Block A, Maynooth Business Campus, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

The sanction hearing is due to commence at 10am and there will be no access to the hearing room before then.

At present, it is expected that the sanction hearing will proceed in public. However, the registered teacher, the subject of the inquiry, can apply to have all or part of this hearing conducted in private. Such applications can be made at any time before the commencement of the hearing, including the day of the hearing.

There is limited space in the inquiry room so access will be restricted and cannot be guaranteed.

Fitness to Teach Inquiry 28th July 2022

In accordance with Part 5 of the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015, an inquiry concerning a registered teacher will be held by a Panel of the Disciplinary Committee of the Teaching Council on Thursday 28 July 2022 in the offices of the Teaching Council Offices, Block A, Maynooth Business Campus, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

The inquiry is due to commence at 9:30am and there will be no access to the inquiry room before then.

At present, it is expected that the inquiry will proceed in public. However, any witness called to give evidence at an inquiry or the registered teacher, the subject of the inquiry, can apply to have all or part of the inquiry conducted in private. Such applications can be made at any time before the commencement of the inquiry, including the day of the inquiry.

There is limited space in the inquiry room so access will be restricted and cannot be guaranteed.

Fitness to Teach Inquiry 1st April 2022

In accordance with Part 5 of the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015, an inquiry concerning a registered teacher will be held by a Panel of the Disciplinary Committee of the Teaching Council on Friday 01 April 2022 in The Clayton Hotel, Fonthill Road, Liffey Valley, Dublin 22.

The inquiry is due to commence at 10am and there will be no access to the inquiry room before then.

At present, it is expected that the inquiry will proceed in public. However, any witness called to give evidence at an inquiry or the registered teacher, the subject of the inquiry, can apply to have all or part of the inquiry conducted in private. Such applications can be made at any time before the commencement of the inquiry, including the day of the inquiry.

There is limited space in the inquiry room so access will be restricted and cannot be guaranteed.

2021

In accordance with Part 5 of the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015, an inquiry concerning a registered teacher was held on 11 November 2021. Arising from same, the Panel of the Disciplinary Committee of the Teaching Council will convene to announce its findings and hear submissions regarding potential sanctions, on Thursday 09 December 2021, commencing at 3.30pm.

The hearing will take place remotely on an online platform.

At present, it is expected that the sanction hearing will proceed in public. However, the registered teacher, the subject of the inquiry, can apply to have all or part of this hearing conducted in private. Such applications can be made at any time before the commencement of the hearing, including the day of the hearing.

The number of hearing attendees on a remote platform will be restricted and permission to attend cannot be guaranteedA limited number of members of the public/media can join and observe the hearing online.

If you would like to attend please email professionalstandards@teachingcouncil.ie and provide the following information: your full name, your email address to which we can send the online link and your reason for requesting to observe (for example, media). Expressions of interest must be received by 5pm on Monday 06 December 2021.

Fitness to Teach Inquiry 19th November 2021

In accordance with Part 5 of the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015, an inquiry concerning a registered teacher will be held by a Panel of the Disciplinary Committee of the Teaching Council on Friday 19 November 2021, commencing at 9.30am.

The inquiry will take place remotely on an online platform.

At present, it is expected that the inquiry will proceed in public. However, any witness called to give evidence at an inquiry or the registered teacher, the subject of the inquiry, can apply to have all or part of the inquiry conducted in private. Such applications can be made at any time before the commencement of the inquiry, including the day of the inquiry.

The number of inquiry attendees on a remote platform will be restricted and permission to attend cannot be guaranteedA limited number of members of the public/media can join and observe the inquiry online.

If you would like to attend please email professionalstandards@teachingcouncil.ie and provide the following information: your full name, your email address to which we can send the online link and your reason for requesting to observe (for example, media). Expressions of interest must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 16 November 2021.

Fitness to Teach Inquiry 11 November 2021

In accordance with Part 5 of the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015, an inquiry concerning a registered teacher will be held by a Panel of the Disciplinary Committee of the Teaching Council on Thursday 11 November 2021, commencing at 9.30am.

The inquiry will take place remotely on an online platform.

At present, it is expected that the inquiry will proceed in public. However, any witness called to give evidence at an inquiry or the registered teacher, the subject of the inquiry, can apply to have all or part of the inquiry conducted in private. Such applications can be made at any time before the commencement of the inquiry, including the day of the inquiry.

The number of inquiry attendees on a remote platform will be restricted and permission to attend cannot be guaranteedA limited number of members of the public/media can join and observe the inquiry online.

If you would like to attend please email professionalstandards@teachingcouncil.ie and provide the following information: your full name, your email address to which we can send the online link and your reason for requesting to observe (for example, media). Expressions of interest must be received by 5pm on Monday 08 November 2021.

Fitness to Teach Inquiry 16 June 2021

In accordance with Part 5 of the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015, an inquiry concerning a registered teacher was held on 05 May 2021. Arising from same, the Panel of the Disciplinary Committee of the Teaching Council will convene to announce its findings and hear submissions regarding potential sanctions, on Wednesday 16 June 2021, commencing at 10am.

Due to Government Public Health Guidelines, related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sanction hearing will take place remotely on an online platform.

At present, it is expected that the sanction hearing will proceed in public. However, the registered teacher, the subject of the inquiry, can apply to have all or part of this hearing conducted in private. Such applications can be made at any time before the commencement of the hearing, including the day of the hearing.

The number of hearing attendees on a remote platform will be restricted and permission to attend cannot be guaranteedA limited number of members of the public / media can join and observe the sanction hearing online.

If you would like to attend online, please email professionalstandards@teachingcouncil.ie and provide the following information: your full name, your email address (to allow us confirm if you have been granted observer status), and your reason for requesting to observe (for example, media). Expressions of interest must be received by 2pm on Monday 14 June 2021.

Fitness to Teach Inquiry 5 May 2021

In accordance with Part 5 of the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015, an inquiry concerning a registered teacher will be held by a Panel of the Disciplinary Committee of the Teaching Council on Wednesday 5 May 2021, commencing at 10am. The inquiry is scheduled to continue Thursday 6 May 2021, should a further day be required.

Due to Government Public Health Guidelines, related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the inquiry will take place remotely on an online platform.

At present, it is expected that the inquiry will proceed in public. However, any witness called to give evidence at an inquiry or the registered teacher, the subject of the inquiry, can apply to have all or part of the inquiry conducted in private. Such applications can be made at any time before the commencement of the inquiry, including the day of the inquiry.

The number of inquiry attendees on a remote platform will be restricted and permission to attend cannot be guaranteedA limited number of members of the public / media can join and observe the inquiry online.

If you would like to attend online, please email professionalstandards@teachingcouncil.ie and provide the following information: your full name, your email address to which we can send the online link and your reason for requesting to observe (for example, media). Expressions of interest must be received by 2pm on 30 April 2021.

2020

Fitness to Teach Inquiry 4 February 2020

In accordance with Part 5 of the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015, an inquiry concerning a registered teacher will be held by a Panel of the Disciplinary Committee of the Teaching Council on Tuesday 4 February 2020 in the offices of the Teaching Council, Block A, Maynooth Business Campus, Maynooth, Co Kildare.

The inquiry is due to commence at 09.30am and there will be no access to the inquiry room before then.

At present, it is expected that the inquiry will proceed in public. However, any witness called to give evidence at an inquiry including the registered teacher the subject of the inquiry can apply to have all or part of the inquiry conducted in private. Such applications can be made at any time before the commencement of the inquiry, including the day of the inquiry.

There is limited space in the inquiry room so access will be restricted and cannot be guaranteed

2018

Fitness to Teach Inquiry 17 January 2018

In accordance with Part 5 of the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015, an inquiry concerning a registered teacher which was commenced before a Panel of the Disciplinary Committee of the Teaching Council on Friday 12 January will continue on Wednesday 17 January 2018 in the offices of the Teaching Council, Block A, Maynooth Business Campus, Maynooth, Co Kildare. The inquiry is due to re-commence at 10.00am and there will be no access to the inquiry room before then.

At present, it is expected that the inquiry will proceed in public. However, any witness called to give evidence at an inquiry including the registered teacher the subject of the inquiry can apply to have all or part of the inquiry conducted in private.

There is limited space in the inquiry room so access will be restricted and cannot be guaranteed.

Fitness to Teach Inquiry 12 & 17 January 2018

In accordance with Part 5 of the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015, an inquiry concerning a registered teacher will be held by a Panel of the Disciplinary Committee of the Teaching Council on Friday 12 January and Wednesday 17 January 2018 in the offices of the Teaching Council, Block A, Maynooth Business Campus, Maynooth, Co Kildare.

The inquiry is due to commence at 10.30am each day and there will be no access to the inquiry room before then.

At present, it is expected that the inquiry will proceed in public. However, any witness called to give evidence at an inquiry including the registered teacher the subject of the inquiry can apply to have all or part of the inquiry conducted in private. Such applications can be made at any time before the commencement of the inquiry, including the day of the inquiry.

There is limited space in the inquiry room so access will be restricted and cannot be guaranteed.

2017

In accordance with Part 5 of the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015, an inquiry concerning a registered teacher will be held by a Panel of the Disciplinary Committee of the Teaching Council and is scheduled for Wednesday 8 November 2017, in the offices of the Teaching Council, Block A, Maynooth Business Campus, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. The inquiry is due to commence at 10.00am each day and there will be no access to the inquiry room before then.

At present, it is expected that the inquiry will process in public but with the identity of the registered teacher, all witnesses and location anonymised. Please be advised that elements of the inquiry may be held in private session.

There is limited space available in the inquiry room so access will be restricted and cannot be guaranteed.