Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 93: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25000/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Teaching Council has registered teachers under the provisions of sections 31(2) and (3) and section 31(5) of the Teaching Council Act 2001. Any person that did not apply under the provisions of section 31(2) and (3) can only apply for registration under section 31(5) which involves the full registration process, provision of transcripts and evidence of character (to include Garda Vetting).

The Registration Council was the designated authority for the recognition of qualifications for the purpose of teaching in secondary schools prior to the establishment of the Teaching Council. In 2008, the qualifications requirements of the Teaching Council were exactly those as inherited from the Registration Council. The current Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations were signed by my predecessor on November 18, 2009 and came into effect on that date.

Any teacher that was registered by the Registration Council is deemed to have met qualifications requirements for registration with the Teaching Council on the basis that they were previously recognised as a teacher. This provision is also included in each of the new Teaching Council Registration Regulations. If a teacher was registered on the basis of qualifications in a particular curricular subject by the Registration Council (and can provide documentary proof thereof), this is honoured by the Teaching Council and reflected on the register and in the documentation confirming registration.

In summary, all those registered by the Registration Council will continue meet the qualifications requirements for registration with the Teaching Council. However, only in cases where a curricular subject was specifically recorded on the register of the Registration Council will this subject be recorded on the register of the Teaching Council.

In relation to securing a position in a school, a range of Circulars dealing with appointments, staffing arrangements, requirements for teacher recruitment, registration are available on my Department's website.