Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
303. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education to request that the Teaching Council addresses an issue raised with me by a person (details supplied); if the Council will set out the precise reasons registration with the Council continues to be denied to this person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17737/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with the statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.
There are five routes of registration with the Teaching Council which are namely Route 1: Primary, Route 2: Post-primary, Route 3: Further Education, Route 4: Other and Route 5: Student Teacher. To be admitted to the Register of Teachers, applicants must meet the requirements for registration as set out in the www.teachingcouncil.ie/assets/uploads/2023/08/revised-teaching-council-registration-regulations-2016.pdf. My Department has no role in the registration of individual teachers.
In order to be eligible to register under Route 4 – Other, a person is required to hold a special education teaching qualification obtained outside the State. These applications are assessed by the Teaching Council to ensure that they meet the requirements for Special Educational Needs teaching in Ireland. Outside of this provision for Route 4 registration, to teach SEN in a primary school in Ireland, in accordance with criteria established by the Department a teacher must hold Route 1 registration, with additional SEN specific qualifications.
There is no mechanism whereby what is being sought can be facilitated, as the transparent and equal application of published regulations and procedures in the state are important legal principles.
I would advise the person that the Deputy is referring to in this query, to continue to liaise with the Teaching Council and follow any advice or guidance that they may give on the matter.
