Teaching Council CPD in Ireland: Droichead and Cosán Explained
Droichead is the induction process newly qualified teachers in Ireland must complete; Cosán is the Teaching Council's learning framework, with no mandatory hours. Here is what each involves.
Teaching Council CPD in Ireland comes down to two things: Droichead, the induction process newly qualified teachers must complete to move from conditional to full registration, and Cosán, the national framework for teachers' learning. Droichead is a requirement. Cosán, according to the Teaching Council, does not set mandatory hours or credits, and teachers' engagement in learning is not currently linked to renewal of registration. This guide covers the Republic of Ireland only and is based on Teaching Council pages and the Council's Registration Handbook 2025/2026, checked in October 2026.
The quick answer
| Droichead | Cosán | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The Council's integrated professional induction process for newly qualified teachers | The national framework for teachers' learning |
| Who it is for | Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) with a Droichead condition on their registration | Registered teachers generally |
| Is it mandatory? | Yes, where it is a registration condition | The Council says it does not stipulate hours or credit requirements |
| Linked to registration? | Yes. Completion leads to the Droichead condition being removed | Not currently linked to renewal of registration, per the Council |
What is Droichead?
Droichead is the Teaching Council's integrated professional induction process. The Council's pages describe it as being for newly qualified teachers, and for teachers who have not yet completed the required period of professional practice. It is school-based, with support from experienced colleagues.
The Council states that for primary and post-primary teachers registered after 1 June 2020, Droichead is the only route of induction. The Council's 2025/2026 Registration Handbook confirms that, for NQTs, it is the process they must complete. Unpaid voluntary or internship placements are not accepted by the Council as a setting in which to complete it.
Who does it apply to?
It applies to NQTs employed in a participating school, in an eligible setting, for the minimum period of practice. Registration conditions are generally attached for a maximum of three years at initial registration, so it makes sense to start soon after you begin work. According to the Council:
- Primary: the role is normally that of a mainstream class teacher in a recognised school, teaching all areas of the Primary School Curriculum, including Irish. The Council's guidance also covers some special class, special school and learning support posts in specified cases.
- Post-primary: recognised post-primary schools, certain special schools with post-primary-age pupils and qualifying Centres of Education.
How long does it take?
The Council sets minimum periods of employment, not a fixed course length:
- Primary: not less than 60 consecutive school days of employment in an eligible setting.
- Post-primary: not less than 200 hours' teaching employment in an eligible setting.
These are minimums, and the Council encourages schools to use any additional time for Droichead. Its guidance also sets out how job-share and part-time contracts are treated, so check the current wording if your contract is not full-time.
The Professional Support Team (PST)
Your Professional Support Team is a group of experienced colleagues who have completed professional learning for the role, including mentor skills development provided through Oide. The team supports you through the process and signs it off at the end.
- The Council's handbook says the principal must provide at least two trained PST members.
- External members are permitted, but there must be at least one member from the NQT's own school.
- Smaller schools may use a team of two or three teachers, while larger schools may run several teams.
What counts: Strand A and Strand B
Droichead has two parts, according to the Council:
- Strand A is school-based induction with your PST, built around reflective practice, mentoring and professional conversations.
- Strand B is additional professional learning outside your own classroom. The Council's current Droichead page describes two cluster meetings (one general, one focused) plus one other professional learning activity.
Earlier Council documents have described the cluster element in different terms, such as one meeting per term, so use the Droichead pages on teachingcouncil.ie as your reference for what applies to you.
How to complete Droichead and get registered
- Apply early. The handbook says the application must be made within five working days of commencing eligible employment. You apply through your My Registration account on the Teaching Council portal.
- Wait for confirmation. The Council confirms your start date by email. Its guidance says the process cannot begin until you receive that confirmation.
- Complete both strands with your PST and meet the minimum employment period.
- Submit Form D. The NQT and all PST members complete the online Droichead Form D.
- Condition removed. The Council then removes the Droichead condition and issues a revised registration letter.
Full registration depends on all conditions being met. For primary teachers, for example, the Irish Language Requirement is a separate condition that must also be satisfied. The Council notes that Droichead can start before other conditions are met. If a condition is not met and no extension is granted, registration lapses, so keep track of every condition on your letter.
What is Cosán?
Cosán is the national framework for teachers' learning. The Council describes its aim as ensuring that teachers' learning has an impact on their practice and on the learning of their students. It treats teachers as autonomous and responsible professionals who decide what to prioritise and what impact their learning has.
What does Cosán expect of teachers?
It encourages cycles of planning, evidence gathering, reflection and ongoing learning, sometimes called portfolio-based learning. According to the Council, teachers choose what evidence to gather, how to record their learning and whether to share it with colleagues.
Many kinds of activity count, including:
- professional conversations
- reading
- team teaching
- mentoring and coaching
- attending or facilitating events
Learning supported by Oide, other State-funded support services and the Education Support Centres also counts. It recognises formal and informal learning, and personal and professional learning.
Are there mandatory hours?
No. The Council's Cosán page says: "Cosán does not stipulate hours or credit requirements," and that teachers' engagement in learning is not currently linked to renewal of their registration. The Registration Handbook 2025/2026 adds that Section 39, which covers teachers' ongoing professional learning, has not yet been commenced by the Minister for Education. Systemwide implementation of Cosán is described as a key objective of the Council, with a target of 2027.
Some schools, employers or funders may set their own expectations. Those are separate from the Council's framework.
Droichead and Cosán side by side
Think of Droichead as the gateway into full registration and Cosán as the framework for the rest of your career. Droichead has start and finish points, a team and a form. Cosán is flexible and you keep it going yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Is Droichead compulsory?
For NQTs with a Droichead condition on their registration, yes. The Council says it is the only induction route for primary and post-primary teachers registered after 1 June 2020.
How long is Droichead?
The Council sets minimums: 60 consecutive school days at primary and 200 hours' teaching employment at post-primary, in an eligible setting.
Who is on the Professional Support Team?
Experienced colleagues who have completed the relevant professional learning. At least one member must be from your own school, and the principal must provide at least two trained members.
Can I do Droichead in a voluntary or unpaid placement?
No. The Council says unpaid voluntary or internship placements are not accepted.
Does Cosán require a set number of CPD hours?
No. The Council states that Cosán does not stipulate hours or credit requirements.
Do I need Cosán to renew my registration?
The Council says teachers' engagement in learning is not currently linked to renewal of registration.
Where to go next
Start with the Droichead and Cosán pages on teachingcouncil.ie, and read the conditions on your own registration letter. For wider context on how professional learning works in other fields, see our CPD hub. If you also work or train in England, our guide to early career framework induction explains how the English system differs from Droichead. Rules in this guide are for the Republic of Ireland and do not apply in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
This article is general information, not regulatory or professional advice. Requirements change, so check the current guidance on teachingcouncil.ie or contact the Teaching Council for your individual situation.
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