Background: Teacher education is an area of concern both in the policy and practice domains in both international and national contexts. Internationally, there are a wide range teacher education programmes and there is also considerable diversity with reference to policy approaches that operationalise such provision. Purpose: This paper focuses on teacher education policy in Ireland and explores the relationships that exist between policy and teacher education as a sub-system of the education system. Sources of evidence: Data from Governmental legislation, discussion papers, professional bodies commentaries, institutional practice and research. Main argument: The paper provides a critical analysis of existing policy and practice in the area and it reflects on recent policy approaches in the context of the difficult economic circumstances, which Ireland has been experiencing since 2010. Conclusions: The process of policy formation has been historically slow and rarely rational. It is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future given the current fiscal crisis and the need to further reduce public spending, with teacher education viewed primarily in terms of promoting economic objectives. (Contains 1 note.)