Number 8 of 2001

TEACHING COUNCIL ACT 2001

REVISED

Updated to 23 August 2023

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I

Preliminary and General

Section
1.	Short title and commencement.
2.	Interpretation.
3.	Establishment day.
4.	Regulations and orders.

PART 2

The Teaching Council

Chapter 1

The Council: General Provisions

5.	Establishment of Teaching Council.
6.	Objects of Council.
7.	Functions of Council.
8.	Membership of Council.
9.	Appointment of members of Council.
10.	Election of members of Council.
11.	Director.
12.	First Director.
13.	Employees.
14.	Superannuation.
15.	Membership of either House of Oireachtas or European Parliament.
16.	Inquiry and removal of members of Council from office.
17.	Indemnification of members of Council.
18.	Accounts and audits.
19.	Gifts.
20.	Power to borrow.
21.	Advances by Minister to Council.
22.	Expenses of Council and Minister.
23.	Fees.

Chapter 2

Committees of Council

24.	Committees.
25.	Membership of Executive Committee.
26.	Functions of Executive Committee.
27.	Membership of Investigating Committee.
28.	Membership of Disciplinary Committee.

PART 3

Registration

29.	The register.
30.	Employment of registered teacher.
31.	Registration.
31A.	Information necessary to obtain vetting disclosure.
32.	Registration subject to conditions.
33.	Renewal of registration.
33A.	Renewal of registration subject to conditions.
33B.	Sharing of information in a vetting disclosure obtained under section 33.
34.	Removal from register for failure to apply for renewal of registration.
35.	Removal from register on application of registered teacher.
36.	Correction of register.
37.	Information to be furnished by employer to Council.

PART 4

Education and Training

38.	Review of standards required for entry into teaching profession.
39.	Continuing education and training and professional development of teachers.
40.	Duty to ensure compliance with minimum standards specified by institutions of European Communities.

PART 5

Fitness to Teach

41.	Professional misconduct. (Repealed)
42.	Inquiry by Investigating Committee.
43.	Inquiry by Disciplinary Committee.
43A.	Use of information in vetting disclosures in inquiry under section 43.
43B.	Offences - panel inquiry.
43C.	Withdrawal of complaint.
44.	Removal or suspension from register or retention subject to conditions.
45.	Compliance with conditions of retention on register.
46.	Termination of suspension from register.
46A.	Notification to Minister, employer and other body of certain matters relating to sanctions.
46B.	Information Council may publish in public interest.
47.	Application by Council to High Court for order suspending registration.

PART 6

Dissolution of Registration Council

48.	Repeal of Intermediate Education (Ireland) Act, 1914.
49.	Dissolution of Registration Council.
50.	Pending legal proceedings.
51.	Transfer of assets and liabilities.
52.	Preservation of certain continuing contracts and adaptation of references.

PART 7

Miscellaneous

53.	Arrangements with persons to assit Council.
54.	Assignment of additional functions.
55.	Annual report.
56.	Offences and penalties in relation to register.
57.	Disclosure of interests.
58.	Disclosure of information.
59.	Privilege in respect of certain matters.
60.	Non-admissibility of certain evidence.
61.	Prosecution of offences.
62.	Service of notices.

SCHEDULE 1

Membership and Meetings of Council

SCHEDULE 2

The Director

SCHEDULE 3

Appointment of Panel under Section 43

Acts Referred to
	Companies Acts, 1963 to 1990
	Education Act, 1998	1998, No. 51
	Education (Welfare) Act, 2000	2000, No. 22
	European Parliament Elections Act, 1997	1997, No. 2
	Freedom of Information Act, 1997	1997, No. 13
	Intermediate Education (Ireland) Act, 1914	Geo. 4 & 5 c. 41
	Local Government (Superannuation) Act, 1980	1980, No. 8
	Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851	14 & 15 Vict., c. 93
	Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999	1999, No. 26
	Trade Union Acts, 1871 to 1990
	Vocational Education Acts, 1930 to 1999

Number 8 of 2001

TEACHING COUNCIL ACT 2001

REVISED

Updated to 23 August 2023

AN ACT TO PROMOTE TEACHING AS A PROFESSION; TO PROMOTE THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHERS; TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TEACHING IN THE STATE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STANDARDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF TEACHERS AND OTHER MATTERS RELATING TO TEACHERS AND THE TEACHING PROFESSION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGISTRATION AND REGULATION OF TEACHERS AND TO ENHANCE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND COMPETENCE; FOR THOSE PURPOSES TO ESTABLISH A COUNCIL TO BE KNOWN AS AN CHOMHAIRLE MHÚINTEOIREACHTA OR, IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, THE TEACHING COUNCIL; TO PROVIDE FOR THE REPEAL OF THE INTERMEDIATE EDUCATION (IRELAND) ACT, 1914, AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.

[17th April, 2001]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS: