An election to Seanad Éireann, the senate of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament), followed the 1981 general election to the 22nd Dáil.

The senators served until the close of poll for the 16th Seanad.

On 8 October 1981, Charles McDonald (FG) was proposed as Cathaoirleach by Gemma Hussey (FG) and seconded by Michael Ferris (Lab).

[2] There are a total of 60 seats in the Seanad: 43 were elected on five vocational panels, 6 were elected from two university constituencies and 11 were nominated by the Taoiseach.

The following table shows the composition by party when the 15th Seanad first met on 8 October 1981.