Teachers need relocation scheme to help retention issues – Scahill

Barriers facing teachers seeking voluntary relocation need to be addressed, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Gareth Scahill warned that inaction could risk deepening pressures felt by teachers across the education system.

“There isn’t a clear and workable voluntary relocation pathway for post-primary teachers. It means many teachers feel locked in place, unable to move closer to home due to inflexible administrative arrangements,” Senator Scahill explained.

“Teachers want to see fair and transparent mobility options. A solution to that could be a national database which allows teachers to log where they would like to go, allowing the Department of Education to assess if the move is feasible.”

The Senator warned of risks to morale within the profession at a time when schools are already struggling to fill vacancies in key subjects and regions.

“We can’t continue with a system which frustrates teachers and leaves schools short-staffed. A functioning relocations scheme is a practical, achievable step that would make a real difference.”

The Department of Education and TUI continue to discuss issues around a proposed relocation scheme; including applications, disputes, seniority and interactions with other redeployment processes.

Progress was acknowledged in 2024, but unresolved issues require more engagement. A separate voluntary redeployment pilot also operates to help redeploy surplus permanent teachers.

Senator Scahill said there needs to be clear proposals and a timeline of implementation for such a scheme, stressing engagement with unions and stakeholders must translate to real outcomes.

“Improving teacher mobility wouldn’t just support individuals, but could form part of a broader solution to ongoing recruitment and retention issues,” he concluded.