Whether resigning from your position to move school or for retirement, these Frequently Asked Questions are designed to assist you in that process.
I am retiring. From what date can I retire?
The contractual school year runs from 1 September – 31 August. A teacher wishing to retire at the end of a school year should notify the Chairperson of their board of management/relevant ETB in writing that their resignation/retirement date is 31 August. There is a three month notice period required to retire from a teaching position. The teacher should complete and return their application to the Department of Education to claim their pension as soon as possible after giving their retirement notice to their school.
To apply for pension the teacher must submit a RET 1 form to the Pensions Section of the Department of Education, this can be downloaded from the DE website.
Individual schools have some discretion in relation to their school calendar (e.g.. for the beginning of the operational school year). Schools may opt to re-open for the new school year prior to 1 September in accordance with the provisions of the Standardised School Year circular Where a teacher has notified their board of their intention to retire with effect from 31 August, there is no obligation on them to attend work if their school is reopening prior to the end of August. The teacher appointed to replace the retiring teacher should attend work from the date the school re-opens.
I am moving school. From what date can I resign my current position?
The notice period is typically 3 months’ notice as with all permanent and fixed term contracts. Upon signing a contract, it becomes legally binding. Your school/ETB can hold you to this notice period.
Individual schools have some discretion in relation to their school calendar (e.g. for the beginning of the operational school year). Schools may opt to re-open for the new school year prior to 1 September in accordance with the provisions of the Standardised School Year circular. Where a teacher has notified their board of their intention to resign with effect from 31 August, there is no obligation on them to attend work if their school is reopening prior to the end of August. The teacher appointed to replace the resigning teacher should attend work from the date the school re-opens.
How do I inform my school I am resigning?
Is there a precedent form/letter of resignation?
[Date]
Dear [Chairperson]
This letter is to notify you of my 3 months’ notice that I shall be resigning my position effective on [date].
[You can add in more information here if you wish i..e I appreciate the opportunities you have given me to learn and grow etc.]
Yours Sincerely [Name]
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What notice am I obliged to give when resigning?
Can I shorten my notice period?
You would need to speak to their school/relevant ETB to negotiate a shorter notice period, if required.
Can the summer months count as notice period?
Can my school keep me for the 3 months’ notice?
Can I resign while on career break?
What is a Break in Service?
- If a teacher is a member of the Old Entrant pension scheme and had a break between 2004 and 2012, they would have been moved into the New Entrant Pension on their return.
- If a teacher has a break in service from 2013 onwards then they will be moved into the Single Pension Scheme upon their return to teaching.
Approved leave is not a break, i.e., career break, maternity, parental, carer’s leave, sick leave etc – these are approved leave and therefore are not viewed as a break in service.
Teachers who are members of an older pension scheme can avoid a break in service when they resign by ensuring they engage in substitute teaching work for at least one day in every 26 weeks.
Teachers who resign to work in another area of the Public Service should request to stay on their existing pension scheme in this new employment. They will also remain on their existing pension scheme upon their return to teaching once they do not have a 26 week break in employment.
Updated July 2024