New powers designed to help the Teaching Council deal with under-performing teachers will be published shortly.

Up until now, a teacher had to be deemed 'unfit to teach' before sanctions could be imposed, but The Minister for Education, Ruairí Quinn, is set to strengthen the regulatory body's powers, introducing a range of new sanctions.

They will range from advice, admonishment or censure to suspension or removal from the Teaching Council’s register.

Under the new legislation, teachers won't be paid unless they have registered with the Teaching Council, but they will be allowed to appeal to the High Court if their registration is refused.

General Secretary of the TUI, John MacGabhann has welcomed the changes as long overdue: