Frequently Asked Questions

What makes First Tutors: Ireland unique?
What is the difference between First Tutors: Ireland and using an agency?
Does First Tutors: Ireland offer user support?
Why should I use First Tutors: Ireland over a friend's recommendation?
I need grinds in a subject not listed here, can you help?
How do I give feedback?
Who uses First Tutors: Ireland?

What makes First Tutors: Ireland unique?
First Tutors: Ireland is the only company in Ireland that allows you to choose your tutor (or student!) based on the feedback they have received from others. We provide tutors with the facility to promote themselves through free online profiles and believe in making the whole process of finding grinds more open and available to all concerned. First Tutors: Ireland endeavours to provide the most honest service so you can find the best possible tutor for your needs and are immediately informed of how much grinds will cost you, and your chosen tutor's qualifications.
What is the difference between First Tutors: Ireland and using an agency?
First Tutors: Ireland is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can always go online to search for a tutor. This makes First Tutors: Ireland the fastest way to find grinds. There is no need for wait for the agency to get back you with who is available, our system enables you to contact tutors directly to ask them your questions. First Tutors: Ireland is also competitively priced: the average agency charges €10.00 on top of every hour of grinds, whereas we only charge parents/students €4.99-19.99* once for the release of your chosen tutor's details has been confirmed.
Does First Tutors: Ireland offer user support?
For tutors and parents/students experiencing technical difficulties, please contact us via our online support form and we will help you with any difficulty.

For parents seeking advice on how to pick a tutor, read Which Tutor? or, if you are about to begin grinds, take a look at Your First Lesson.
Why should I use First Tutors: Ireland over a friend's recommendation?
First Tutors: Ireland enables you to to see the feedback previous students have left a tutor, and we encourage students to publicly review their grinds. For prospective parents and students, this offers a system based on objective advice, and lends our best tutors a platform upon which to shine.
I need grinds in a subject not listed here, can you help?
Contact us and we'll make every effort to help you.
How do I give feedback?
We greatly appreciate all feedback left us, and where necessary usually act on it very quickly - use our feedback form to tell us what you think.
Who uses First Tutors: Ireland?
- Parents with children from both the independent and state sectors, for educational support throughout term in addition to specialist grinds in preparation for exams. We enjoy a lot of repeat custom once we've been tried and tested!
- Adult learners looking to refresh skills, or learn a new subject/language altogether.
- Businesses looking for quality grinds in IT or Languages at very competitive prices and with the flexibility to arrange grinds in/out of office hours and at a location of their choice.

Should you have any further questions not answered in our FAQs, or are unsure about any of the answers supplied, please send us your queries here.

Tutors

For frequently asked questions made by tutors please click here

Parents/Students

For frequently asked questions from parents and students please click here

* Our one-off fees are variable and linked to the tutor's price per hour to make our service as affordable as possible. Full details can be found in the About Us section.

Frequently Asked Questions for Students and Parents

At what point do I have to pay?
Only when you have picked a tutor, and confirmed the arrangements for your grinds do we charge a one-off €4.99-19.99* introduction fee. There are no charges for searching, browsing or contacting tutors. You must pay your tutor their hourly rate directly as we are uninvolved in this aspect of the process.
How should I pick a tutor?
Please see our article, Which Tutor? for guidance in choosing the right tutor for your needs.
Do you obtain a Garda Vetting Certificate for tutors?
We do not. Tutor profiles are written by the tutors themselves and will include details of references or Garda Vetting checks that they are able to supply. We would recommend students/parents request to see a Garda Vetting Certificate and any other declared qualifications at the beginning of the first lesson should this be a concern.
How can I contact tutors?
You may e-mail prospective tutors totally free of charge by becoming a member. However, although you may exchange information regarding roughly where grinds will take place and any travel arrangements, referring to direct contact details or specific addresses is against our terms and conditions, and you may be penalised for including these details in any correspondence. When your tutor has received and accepted your request for grinds we will release their contact details at your request, conditional to the payment of a one-off €4.99-19.99* fee. We also forward your details to the tutor you have picked so you can contact one another.
I haven't heard from a tutor but want to release their details.
We cannot guarantee the tutors listed will always be available. Tutors are informed as soon as you make your enquiry, but we cannot force them to respond. We would always recommend you get in touch with more than one tutor.

General FAQs

For frequently asked questions about First Tutors please click here

Or if you have further questions not answered in our FAQs, or are find any of the answers supplied unclear, please ask us your questions here.

* Our one-off fees are variable and linked to the tutor's price per hour to make our service as affordable as possible. Full details can be found in the About Us section.

Frequently Asked Questions for Tutors

How much does it cost for tutors to use First Tutors: Ireland?
How will I hear from prospective students?
How do I start giving grinds?
How can I change my profile?
I understand students can create feedback about me, how does this work?
What if a student changes their mind and no longer requires grinds?
Do I need a Garda Vetting Certificate to be a tutor?
What qualifications do I need to become a tutor?
Does First Tutors employ tutors?
I'm an international student, can I still be a tutor?

How much does it cost for tutors to use First Tutors: Ireland?
It is entirely free to advertise the grinds you offer and swap your details through First Tutors.
How will I hear from prospective students?
We will be in touch via e-mail as soon as a prospective students send you any enquires, and invite you to log in to your member area and respond to the request. We advise tutors to respond to any enquiries as soon as possible. **Please note** that tutors who do not reply to students (neither accepting or declining requests) will have their profiles suspended so other tutors can benefit from the opportunities.
How do I start giving grinds?
When a student has accepted your offer of grinds we will send you their contact details so you can get in touch directly and arrange a first lesson. We always recommend acting on this quickly. At this points your details are also sent to the student so they can also contact you.
How can I change my profile?
After registering with First Tutors: Ireland you will be able to log in through your members area whenever you'd like to make any alterations to your profile or fees.
I understand students can create feedback about me, how does this work?
Within a month of making the introduction, we will invite students to create a brief comment about their tutor. The grinds industry relies a great deal on referrals; the more positive feedback you receive as a tutor, the more requests to tutor you are likely to attract. Of course, as a tutor you are also able to reply to any feedback.
What if a student changes their mind and no longer requires grinds?
Students and parents generally put a great deal of time and consideration into selecting a tutor, and are therefore unlikely to cancel before grinds commence. The usual reason for students to change their mind is that the tutor has left too long between receiving a student's contact details and initiating grinds. Alternatively, students may have since chosen another tutor. The final decision at their discretion.
Do I need a Garda Vetting Certificate to be a tutor?
A Garda Vetting Certificate is not essential. Some students / parents would prefer you to have one, and it would always be helpful to have references available for new employers to see.
What qualifications do I need to become a tutor?
Tutors come from a variety of backgrounds; some have academic qualifications, others simply have the requisite experience to demonstrate their ability to tutor. Prospective students look for different qualities in their tutors, which is why the facility to browse a number of available tutors is so attractive to students and parents. If you are planning to join First Tutors: Ireland as a tutor, why not have a look through the profiles of other tutors in your area if to see how they market themselves.
Does First Tutors employ tutors?
We do not. All the tutors using First Tutors: Ireland to advertise their services work on a self-employed basis.
I'm an international student, can I still be a tutor?
We do not object to tutors of any nationality joining First Tutors; it may even be advantagous for you to have knowledge of another language or culture. However, we do recommend you check the terms of your visa to ensure you are allowed to work on a self-employed basis.