Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and welcome the clarification for the cohort of students beginning the four year course this September that they will be eligible to apply to the Teaching Council for registration and to teach in special education settings in primary schools and in specialist special needs schools. However, the fact that the Teaching Council will no longer recognise this four year course will be a source of real regret and disappointment to many people who very much value the option of a level 8 course in Montessori teaching. They value the option of being able to specialise in Montessori teaching from the outset of their third level career given its particular value from a pedagogical point of view in special needs teaching.

Will the move away from this recognition reduce the employment capacity of those who have already graduated from the level 8 course? Will those graduates continue to be able to attract and win employment in special educational settings in the same way as they did before, as new graduates of the course will no longer be able to avail of registration from the Teaching Council?

The Minister did not refer in her reply to the work of the early years education advisory group which is carrying out an important overview of the development of the early years sector and trying to ensure there is a professionalisation of the workforce at early years level over the coming period. It would be appropriate for the Minister to consider any approach by the Teaching Council on qualifications of current graduates of Montessori degrees in light of the work of that advisory group. Will the Minister await the outcome of that advisory group's report before pursuing any change to regulation 3?

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