Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I have a specific question. I understand the Minister for Education and Skills is to sign a statutory instrument by the end of this week that essentially closes off the possibility of level 8, Montessori trained teachers being able to work, as they have until now, within the State system in special schools. These teachers are trained in St. Nicholas Montessori College in my constituency and in the Cork Institute of Technology. There was a recognition to date that even though they did not have a bachelor of education qualification, their level 8 qualification would allow them to work in the State system and to be approved by the Teaching Council to do so in the specific area of special education, which is where their training is directed.

If the statutory instrument is signed I am told this career option for all of these highly qualified people trained to teach in the area of special needs will be closed off. They are asking that the statutory instrument is not signed. Will the Taoiseach provide a response on this? Will he ask the Minister for Education and Skills to do something about it? It is a very time-sensitive issue.

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