Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Regarding the point the Deputy raised, it is not a requirement for registration with Teaching Council. There is no requirement for any religious certificate. It is not a requirement for entry to any teaching college. However, section 37(1) of the Employment Equality Act 1998, as amended, requires relevant employers in schools with a religious ethos to show that any favourable treatment of an employee or prospective employee is limited to the religion ground and action taken against a person is objectively justified by reference to that institution’s aim of protecting its religious ethos. This provision raises the threshold for discrimination so that schools are precluded from discrimination on any other equality grounds and that any action taken is reasonable and proportionate. It is a reference to all schools, not just Catholic schools, including Church of Ireland schools, Muslim schools or whatever other types of schools.

I want to be very clear. Where it is associated with the Department through the Teaching Council, it is not a requirement. Equally, it is not a requirement with the teaching colleges.

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