Vocational Education Committees (VECs) were established under the Vocational Education Act, 1930. The Vocational Education (Amendment) Act, 2001 introduced the requirement for VECs to develop Education and Service Plans, Annual Reports, together with a classification of functions into reserved and executive functions and improvements in the system of financial reporting and corporate governance.

The Education Act, 1998 makes provision for the education of every person in the State, including any person with disability or has other special educational needs, and to provide generally for primary, post-primary, adult and continuing education and vocational education and training.

The Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999 set up structures and framework of qualifications. Three organisations were set up under the provisions of the Act - National Qualifications Awards Institute (NQAI), Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) and Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) The primary aim of the Act is to establish and develop standards of knowledge, skill and competence; promote the quality of further and higher education and training; provide a system for coordinating and comparing awards and promote access, transfer and progression for learners.

The Education Welfare Act, 2000 provides a framework for promoting regular school attendance and tackling problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. Under the Act, the school leaving age has been raised to 16 years or the completion of the first three years post primary whichever is later.

Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004 provides for the delivery of an appropriate education in an integrated manner to children with an educational disability.

The Teaching Council Act, 2001 provides for the establishment of the Teaching Council

• to promote teaching as a profession;
• to promote the continuing professional development of teachers;
• to establish and maintain a register of teaches;
• to develop codes of professional conduction which include standards of teaching, knowledge, skill and competence; and
• to regulate the teaching profession.

Terms and Conditions of Employment are subject to Employment Legislation and Collective Agreements.

• Employment Equality Acts 1998-2007
• Protection of Employees (Fixed Term Work) Act, 2003
• Protection of Employees (Part Time Work) Act, 2001
• Terms of Employment (Information) Acts, 1994-2001
• Adoptive Leave Acts, 1995-2004
• Maternity Protection Acts 1994-2004
• Parental Leave Acts, 1998-2006
• Carer's Leave Act, 2001
• Organisation of Working Time Acts, 1997-2001
• Payment of Wages Act, 1991
• Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts, 1973-2001
• Data Protection Acts 1988-2003
• Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Act, 2006
• Safety Health and Welfare at Work Acts, 1989-2005
• Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004

Terms and conditions of employment are also covered by collective agreements negotiated and agreed between trade unions, staff associations, managerial authorities (IVEA) and the Department of Education and Science. These conditions are normally contained in circular letters issued by the Department of Education and Science.