Teacher Fee Refund Scheme

The purpose of the Teacher Fee Refund Scheme is to provide funding towards the cost of course participation and examination fees on successful completion of professional development courses. (Where course duration is longer than one year funding is provided upon successful completion of each year of the course.) The funding is available for courses that are directly relevant and of benefit to schools and that are subject to certification/award by an appropriate accreditation authority recognised by the Department of Education (DE). The Teacher Fee Refund Scheme refers to individual applications only and refunds may not be claimed by schools or other employers. This scheme is subject to review and changes may be introduced before the scheme is next open to applications (i.e. before applications for refund of fees in respect of the next academic year are invited.

Currently serving primary and post-primary teachers who are registered with the Teaching Council, paid by the State and employed in a Department of Education recognised primary or post primary school are eligible to apply for funding under the scheme. This includes permanent whole-time teachers, temporary whole-time teachers, part-time teachers, substitute teachers, teachers holding contracts of indefinite duration and teachers holding fixed-term contracts who are employed for the full school year and who provide teaching service during each school week. The list of recognised primary and post primary schools is available on the Department website: Please see: https://www.gov.ie/en/service/find-a-school/ 

• Fully registered teachers on secondment within the education sector are eligible to apply under the scheme.
• Teachers on career break/unpaid leave during the 2021/22 school year are only eligible to apply for a refund of fees upon their return to school and the refund can only be made in respect of fees incurred between 1st September 2021 and 31st August 2022.

 Courses Not Eligible Under the Scheme

• Funding under the Teacher Fee Refund Scheme will not be provided for courses which result in a qualification in respect of which an allowance is payable.
• Courses which are already part funded by the Department of Education are not eligible for the scheme.
• This scheme will not fund shortfalls in qualifications required for full recognition as a primary or post-primary teacher.

• Courses which qualify should be directly relevant and of benefit to schools, school management, or teachers and should ultimately positively impact on teaching and learning.
• Courses should be subject to certification/award by an appropriate accreditation authority recognised by the Department of Education for the purpose of this scheme.
• If the final year of the course has been completed a copy of the actual diploma certificate must accompany the application. For intervening years a transcript of the results of the relevant years assessments must accompany the application.
• Refunds will only be paid for annual fees in excess of €600

Diploma Courses

• In general, recognised diploma and certificate courses accredited as above will be eligible under the Teacher Fee Refund Scheme.
• A copy of the actual diploma certificate received following the successful completion of the course must accompany all application forms.
• Refunds will only be paid for annual fees in excess of €600

Scanned copies of diploma certificates or transcript of results can be uploaded in Part 2 of your online application process.

If you meet the criteria please use this website to apply online.

• Please create an account and verify your email address.
• Please login to complete the online application.
• Download the full checklist of requirements (PDF)

IMPORTANT! prior to commencing the Teacher Fee Refund Scheme Application

• Please download, print and sign SECTION A APPLICANT DECLARATION
• Please download, print and sign SECTION B SCHOOL AUTHORITY DECLARATION

Please also ensure you have the following items ready before continuing

• Copy of fee receipt(s) for the course
• Documentary evidence from course provider indicating successful completion of the course or year of the course
• Copy of Certificate/Diploma/Degree Certificate
• Banking details (IBAN number and BIC)
• Copy of Current Certification of Registration with the Teaching Council.