Terms of Service

Definitions

The following terms carry the meanings set out below throughout these Terms of Service:

About Tapaidh Staff

Tapaidh Staff Limited is a specialist education staffing company incorporated and operating in the Republic of Ireland. Our Platform connects qualified, Garda-vetted substitute and contract STEM teachers with secondary schools and other educational institutions across Ireland.

The name Tapaidh (pronounced tah-pee) is an Irish word meaning quick and clever — reflecting our commitment to fast, intelligent matching of the right teacher to the right school.

Acceptance & Eligibility

3.1 Acceptance

By accessing the Platform or using the Services in any way — including registering an account, submitting a placement request, uploading documents, or simply browsing the website — you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy.

3.2 Eligibility — Teachers

To register as a Teacher on the Platform, you must:

• Be aged 18 or over
• Hold a valid registration with the Teaching Council of Ireland, or be lawfully eligible to teach in Irish secondary schools
• Consent to Garda vetting through the National Vetting Bureau prior to any placement in a school
• Hold the qualifications, certifications, and right to work in Ireland required for the subjects and roles in which you seek placement
• Not be subject to any prohibition, restriction, or condition on teaching or working with children imposed by the Teaching Council, the DES, or any court or regulatory body

3.3 Eligibility — Schools

To register as a School on the Platform, the authorised representative must:

• Be a duly authorised representative of the school or institution (e.g. principal, deputy principal, or HR administrator)
• Confirm that the school is a recognised secondary school or educational institution in the Republic of Ireland
• Have the authority to enter into service agreements on behalf of the institution

3.4 Accuracy of Information

By registering, you warrant that all information you provide is accurate, complete, current, and not misleading. You are responsible for keeping your account information up to date. Tapaidh Staff reserves the right to suspend or remove any account where information is found to be false, inaccurate, or incomplete.

The Platform & Services

4.1 Service Description

Tapaidh Staff provides the following services through the Platform:

• Temporary Cover — same-day or next-day placement of vetted substitute teachers for short-term absences
• Contract Staffing — fixed-term placements aligned to school term structures
• Permanent Recruitment — end-to-end permanent recruitment for part-time and full-time STEM teaching roles
• Home Tutoring — connecting families with Tapaidh-vetted STEM tutors for private instruction
• CPD & Training — in partnership with Shonazz Eduverse, providing adaptive professional development for registered Teachers

4.2 Platform Availability

We aim to make the Platform available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, we do not guarantee uninterrupted availability. The Platform may be temporarily unavailable due to scheduled maintenance, upgrades, emergency repairs, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control. We will endeavour to provide advance notice of planned downtime where possible.

4.3 Platform Updates

We reserve the right to modify, enhance, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Platform or Services at any time. Where a change materially affects existing Users, we will provide reasonable notice.

Teacher Registration & Vetting

5.1 Registration Process

To join the Tapaidh Staff teacher panel, you must complete our registration process, which includes:

1. Submission of a complete profile including qualifications, subject specialisms, and availability
2. Proof of Teaching Council registration (or eligible status)
3. Completion of a Garda vetting application through the National Vetting Bureau
4. Provision of at least two professional references, which Tapaidh Staff may contact
5. A structured competency assessment or interview as part of our quality assurance process
6. Enrolment and baseline assessment on the Shonazz Eduverse CPD platform

5.2 Garda Vetting

Garda vetting is a mandatory legal requirement for all persons working with children in Ireland, pursuant to the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012–2016. By registering as a Teacher, you:

• Consent to Tapaidh Staff submitting a vetting application to the NVB on your behalf
• Acknowledge that Tapaidh Staff is an authorised organisation under the NVB Acts
• Agree to provide all information and documentation required for the vetting process promptly and accurately
• Understand that a vetting disclosure indicating relevant convictions, findings, or specified information may result in your application being declined or your panel membership being suspended or terminated
• Agree to notify Tapaidh Staff immediately of any change in your vetting status, any criminal charge, conviction, or caution received after registration

5.3 Ongoing Obligations

Registered Teachers must maintain all eligibility requirements throughout their time on the panel, including:

• Keeping Teaching Council registration active and in good standing
• Notifying Tapaidh Staff of any sanction, restriction, or investigation by the Teaching Council or any regulatory body
• Maintaining up-to-date availability and profile information
• Engaging with CPD obligations through Shonazz Eduverse
• Informing Tapaidh Staff of any circumstances that may affect suitability to work with children

5.4 Right to Decline

Tapaidh Staff reserves the right to decline any Teacher application or remove any Teacher from the panel at its discretion, where it determines that the Teacher does not meet our standards, poses a risk to children or schools, or has provided false or misleading information.

School Registration & Service Agreements

6.1 Onboarding

Schools wishing to use the Platform must complete our onboarding process and enter into a formal Service Agreement with Tapaidh Staff. The Service Agreement sets out the specific terms applicable to the school’s use of the Platform, including agreed subject areas, response time expectations, fee structures, and safeguarding protocols.

6.2 School Responsibilities

By registering and using the Platform, schools agree to:

• Designate a named authorised contact person responsible for all Platform interactions
• Submit cover requests promptly and accurately, with full details of the subject, year group, level, and any relevant information about the class
• Receive and induct placed Teachers in accordance with the school’s own safeguarding and child protection policies
• Provide placed Teachers with a safe, suitable working environment in compliance with Irish health and safety legislation
• Report any concerns about a placed Teacher’s conduct, suitability, or wellbeing to Tapaidh Staff immediately
• Maintain their own valid child safeguarding statement under the Children First Act 2015
• Pay all invoices issued by Tapaidh Staff in accordance with the agreed payment terms

6.3 Teacher Profile Sharing

When Tapaidh Staff proposes a Teacher for a placement, a profile containing the Teacher’s name, qualifications, Teaching Council registration number, and vetting disclosure status will be shared with the School. Schools may only use this information for the purpose of the proposed placement and must handle it in accordance with GDPR and their own data protection obligations.

Placements & Matching

7.1 The Matching Process

When a School submits a cover request through the Platform, Tapaidh Staff will use its matching system to identify and propose one or more suitable, available Teachers. Confirmation of a Placement requires acceptance by both the School and the Teacher.

7.2 Confirmation

A Placement is considered confirmed once both parties have received written confirmation from Tapaidh Staff. At that point, both the Teacher and the School are committed to that Placement. Cancellations after confirmation are subject to the policy in Section 9.

7.3 No Employment Relationship with Tapaidh Staff

Tapaidh Staff acts as an intermediary platform. For temporary and contract placements, the employment or engagement relationship is between the Teacher and the School (or Tapaidh Staff acting as employer, as specified in the relevant Service Agreement). Tapaidh Staff does not guarantee that any particular Teacher will be available for any particular request, and is not liable for any failure to fill a cover request.

7.4 Direct Engagement Prohibition

Schools may not directly engage, hire, or contact for employment purposes any Teacher introduced to them through the Platform, without the prior written consent of Tapaidh Staff, for a period of 12 months from the date of the Teacher’s last Placement at that school. If a School wishes to directly employ a Teacher introduced through the Platform, a direct placement fee will apply as set out in the Service Agreement.

7.5 Quality Feedback

Following each Placement, Schools and Teachers may be invited to provide feedback through the Platform. This feedback is used to maintain quality standards and improve the matching process. Feedback must be honest, professional, and not defamatory or discriminatory.

Fees, Payments & Invoicing

8.1 Fee Structure

Fees for the Services are set out in the applicable Service Agreement between Tapaidh Staff and the School. The general fee structure is as follows:

8.2 Invoicing & Payment Terms

Tapaidh Staff will issue invoices in accordance with the Service Agreement. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due within 30 days of the invoice date. All fees are stated exclusive of VAT where applicable; VAT will be charged at the rate applicable at the time of supply.

8.3 Late Payment

Invoices not paid within the agreed payment period will accrue interest at the rate prescribed under the European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2012, currently 8% above the European Central Bank reference rate. Tapaidh Staff reserves the right to suspend Services to a School where overdue invoices remain unpaid after a further 14-day notice period.

8.4 Disputes

Any dispute regarding an invoice must be raised in writing within 7 days of the invoice date, setting out the reasons for the dispute. Undisputed portions of an invoice remain payable by the due date.

8.5 Teacher Payments

Where Tapaidh Staff acts as employer or engages Teachers directly, Teachers will be paid in accordance with the terms set out in their individual placement or employment agreement. Tapaidh Staff will comply with all applicable Irish employment, minimum wage, and tax legislation.

Cancellation & No-Show Policy

9.1 School Cancellations

Once a Placement is confirmed, Schools may cancel subject to the following notice requirements:

• More than 24 hours’ notice — no cancellation fee applies
• Less than 24 hours’ notice (same-day cancellations) — a cancellation fee equivalent to 50% of the applicable daily rate is payable
• No notice (Teacher arrives and is turned away) — the full daily rate is payable

9.2 Teacher Cancellations

Teachers who accept a Placement and subsequently cancel without reasonable cause:

• With less than 24 hours’ notice — will receive a formal warning; repeated cancellations may result in suspension from the panel
• Without any notice (no-show) — may be immediately suspended or removed from the panel at Tapaidh Staff’s discretion

Teachers who cannot attend a confirmed Placement due to illness or emergency must notify Tapaidh Staff as soon as reasonably practicable so that alternative cover can be arranged for the school.

9.3 Tapaidh Staff Cancellations

In the unlikely event that Tapaidh Staff must cancel a confirmed Placement due to circumstances outside its control (e.g. loss of vetting clearance, illness, force majeure), Tapaidh Staff will notify all parties promptly and endeavour to source alternative cover. No fee will be charged for a cancellation initiated by Tapaidh Staff.

Conduct & Acceptable Use

10.1 General Conduct

All Users of the Platform must act lawfully, professionally, and respectfully at all times. You must not use the Platform in any manner that:

• Violates any applicable law or regulation
• Is fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading
• Infringes the intellectual property rights of any person
• Is abusive, threatening, discriminatory, or harassing
• Involves the posting of any false or defamatory content about Teachers, Schools, or Tapaidh Staff
• Involves the transmission of malware, spam, or any harmful code
• Attempts to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Platform or another User’s account
• Scrapes, copies, or reproduces Platform content without our prior written consent
• Circumvents any technical measures or security controls on the Platform

10.2 Teacher Professional Standards

While on a Placement, Teachers are expected to uphold the professional standards of the Teaching Council of Ireland, treat all students and staff with respect and dignity, comply with the school’s policies and reasonable instructions, and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with Children First.

10.3 Social Media & Confidentiality

Users must not post, publish, or share any information about schools, students, colleagues, or placement experiences on social media or elsewhere in a manner that could identify individuals, breach confidentiality, or bring Tapaidh Staff, the school, or the teaching profession into disrepute.

Safeguarding & Child Protection

11.1 Legal Framework

All Placements are subject to the requirements of the following legislation:

• Children First Act 2015 — mandatory reporting obligations and child safeguarding requirements
• National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012–2016 — mandatory Garda vetting for all persons working with children
• Child Care Act 1991 and associated regulations
• Teaching Council Acts 2001–2015 — professional standards and fitness to teach

11.2 Mandatory Vetting

No Teacher will be placed in a school by Tapaidh Staff unless a valid and satisfactory Garda vetting disclosure has been obtained from the NVB. Schools must not permit a Teacher to commence a Placement until written confirmation of vetting clearance has been received from Tapaidh Staff.

11.3 Reporting Obligations

Teachers are mandatory reporters under the Children First Act 2015 where they have reasonable grounds to believe that a child has been, is being, or is at risk of being abused or neglected. Any such concern must be reported to the school’s Designated Liaison Person (DLP) and, where appropriate, to Tusla — the Child and Family Agency.

Schools must report any concern about a placed Teacher’s conduct towards children to Tapaidh Staff immediately, without prejudice to their own obligations to report to the Teaching Council, An Garda Síochána, or Tusla.

11.4 Tapaidh Staff Obligations

Tapaidh Staff maintains its own Child Safeguarding Statement in accordance with the Children First Act 2015 and will conduct proportionate risk assessments in respect of all roles involving access to children. A copy of the Tapaidh Staff Child Safeguarding Statement is available on request.

Intellectual Property

12.1 Tapaidh Staff IP

All intellectual property rights in the Platform, including its design, code, algorithms, branding, logos, trademarks, text, and any proprietary matching technology, are owned by or licensed to Tapaidh Staff. Nothing in these Terms grants you any rights in or to the Platform’s intellectual property other than a limited licence to use the Platform for its intended purpose.

12.2 User Content

You retain ownership of any Content you upload to the Platform (such as your CV, qualifications, or profile information). By uploading Content, you grant Tapaidh Staff a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to use, store, display, and process that Content solely for the purpose of providing and improving the Services.

12.3 Restrictions

You must not copy, reproduce, modify, adapt, translate, decompile, reverse engineer, or create derivative works based on the Platform or any part of it, without our prior written consent. Any unauthorised use of Tapaidh Staff’s intellectual property may result in legal action.

Confidentiality

In the course of using the Platform, both Teachers and Schools may receive access to confidential information belonging to Tapaidh Staff, Schools, Teachers, or students. This may include fee rates, vetting procedures, business processes, student information, school data, and Teacher profiles.

All Users agree to:

• Hold all confidential information in strict confidence
• Use confidential information only for the purpose for which it was disclosed
• Not disclose confidential information to any third party without prior written consent
• Return or destroy confidential information upon request or termination of their account

This obligation of confidentiality survives the termination of these Terms or your use of the Platform.

Data Protection

Tapaidh Staff processes personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Data Protection Acts 1988–2018, and our Privacy Policy, which forms part of this Agreement and is incorporated herein by reference.

By using the Platform, you acknowledge and agree to the collection and processing of your personal data as described in the Privacy Policy.

Where Schools share personal data relating to their staff or students with Tapaidh Staff as part of using the Services, the parties acknowledge their respective roles as data controller and, where applicable, data processor, and agree to enter into a Data Processing Agreement as required by Article 28 GDPR.

A copy of Tapaidh Staff’s full Privacy Policy is available at tapaidhstaff.com/privacy-policy.

Disclaimers & Warranties

15.1 Platform Provided “As Is”

The Platform and Services are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. To the fullest extent permitted by Irish law, Tapaidh Staff disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

15.2 No Guarantee of Placement

Tapaidh Staff does not guarantee that any Teacher will be available for any given cover request, or that any School will request the services of any particular Teacher. We are not liable for any loss or disruption arising from the unavailability of cover.

15.3 Teacher Conduct

While Tapaidh Staff takes all reasonable steps to vet and monitor Teacher conduct, we cannot guarantee the behaviour, performance, or suitability of any Teacher beyond our stated vetting processes. Schools remain responsible for supervising and managing Teachers during their Placement in accordance with normal school governance procedures.

15.4 Accuracy of Information

Tapaidh Staff endeavours to keep all Platform information accurate and up to date, but does not warrant that all content on the Platform is complete, accurate, or current. Users should independently verify information that is material to any decision.

Limitation of Liability

16.1 Indirect Losses

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Tapaidh Staff will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive loss or damage, including but not limited to:

• Loss of profits, revenue, or anticipated savings
• Loss of business or contracts
• Loss of data or information
• Loss of goodwill or reputation
• Any disruption to school operations caused by unfilled cover requests

16.2 Cap on Liability

Subject to clause 16 above, Tapaidh Staff’s total aggregate liability to any User in connection with these Terms or the Services, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, or otherwise, will not exceed the greater of:

• €500, or
• The total fees paid by or to the User in the 3 months immediately preceding the event giving rise to the claim

16.3 Force Majeure

Tapaidh Staff will not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations under these Terms where such failure or delay results from events, circumstances, or causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, pandemic, government action, industrial action, or failure of third-party systems.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Tapaidh Staff, its directors, officers, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or in connection with:

• Your breach of these Terms of Service
• Your misuse of the Platform or Services
• Any false, misleading, or inaccurate information you have provided
• Your violation of any applicable law or regulation
• Any claim by a third party arising from your conduct during a Placement
• Any infringement of any third party’s intellectual property, privacy, or other rights

Suspension & Termination

18.1 Termination by User

Teachers may close their account at any time by contacting hello@tapaidhstaff.com. Schools may terminate their Service Agreement in accordance with the notice provisions set out therein. Termination does not affect any outstanding Placement commitments or unpaid invoices.

18.2 Suspension or Termination by Tapaidh Staff

Tapaidh Staff may suspend or terminate your access to the Platform, with or without notice, if:

• You breach any provision of these Terms
• You provide false, inaccurate, or fraudulent information
• You fail to maintain Teaching Council registration or Garda vetting clearance
• A safeguarding concern arises regarding your suitability to work with children
• You fail to pay any amounts due to Tapaidh Staff
• We are required to do so by law or a regulatory authority
• We reasonably believe that continued access poses a risk to the safety, security, or integrity of the Platform or its Users

18.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination: your licence to use the Platform ceases immediately; you must cease using the Platform and delete any copies of Platform materials in your possession; Tapaidh Staff will retain your personal data in accordance with its Privacy Policy and legal obligations; and any provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination will do so, including confidentiality, intellectual property, limitation of liability, and governing law.

Third-Party Services

The Platform may integrate with or link to third-party services, including the Shonazz Eduverse CPD platform, payment processors, and government systems such as Teaching Council and NVB portals. These third-party services are subject to their own terms of service and privacy policies.

Tapaidh Staff is not responsible for the content, availability, or practices of any third-party service. Your use of any third-party service is at your own risk and governed by that third party’s own terms.

Changes to These Terms

Tapaidh Staff reserves the right to amend these Terms of Service at any time. Where changes are material, we will:

• Update the “Effective Date” at the top of this page
• Display a prominent notice on the Platform
• Where practicable, send an email notification to registered Users

Your continued use of the Platform after the effective date of any revised Terms constitutes your acceptance of those changes. If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you must stop using the Platform and, if applicable, close your account.

Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

21.1 Governing Law

These Terms of Service and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or their subject matter (including non-contractual disputes or claims) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Ireland.

21.2 Jurisdiction

The parties irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Republic of Ireland to settle any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms or their subject matter.

21.3 Dispute Resolution Process

Before initiating formal legal proceedings, we encourage all parties to attempt to resolve any dispute informally by contacting us at legal@tapaidhstaff.com. We will endeavour to respond and resolve disputes within 20 working days.

Where informal resolution is not possible, and both parties agree, disputes may be referred to an independent mediator before proceeding to litigation. Each party will bear its own costs of mediation unless otherwise agreed.

21.4 Consumer Rights

Nothing in these Terms affects the statutory rights of consumers under Irish and EU law, including rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 and the EU Consumer Rights Directive where applicable.

General Provisions

22.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms of Service, together with the Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and any applicable Service Agreement, constitute the entire agreement between you and Tapaidh Staff with respect to the Platform and Services, and supersede all prior understandings, representations, or agreements.

22.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

22.3 Waiver

No failure or delay by Tapaidh Staff in exercising any right or remedy under these Terms will constitute a waiver of that right or remedy. A waiver of any breach does not constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach.

22.4 Assignment

You may not assign, transfer, or subcontract any of your rights or obligations under these Terms without the prior written consent of Tapaidh Staff. Tapaidh Staff may assign its rights or obligations under these Terms at any time without notice, including in the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

22.5 No Partnership or Agency

Nothing in these Terms creates or implies any partnership, joint venture, agency, franchise, or employment relationship between you and Tapaidh Staff. Neither party has authority to bind the other in any way.

22.6 Notices

All legal notices under these Terms must be in writing and sent by email to legal@tapaidhstaff.com (for notices to Tapaidh Staff) or to the email address registered in your account (for notices to you). Notices are deemed received on the next business day after sending, provided no delivery failure notification is received.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, wish to report a breach, or need to exercise any rights under them, please contact us using the details below.