Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 11: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she has held discussions with the Teaching Council with regard to the Education (Amendment) Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47653/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Section 12 of the Education (Amendment) Bill provides for the amendment of section 30 of the Teaching Council Act 2001 to allow for the employment in certain exceptional and limited circumstances of persons who are not registered teachers under the Act. This matter has been debated at length in the House. To safeguard the standards and quality of education in schools, it is the policy of the Department of Education and Skills that all teachers should be fully qualified and registered by the Teaching Council. Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act 2001, which has not yet been commenced, provides that only registered teachers can be remunerated out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.

To commence section 30, as it stands without amendment, could have a serious negative impact for several schools in which unqualified personnel are teaching or in schools where short-term and unavoidable absences occur. I have a responsibility to ensure schools can and are capable of remaining open, even where such absences occur. For this reason, I am providing a way for this to be done while still ensuring a strong teaching profession.

The move to mandatory registration of teachers is an important factor in progressively ensuring a fully qualified and registered teaching cohort. However, it is not always possible for a school to engage a registered teacher. This may be due to geographical reasons or the lack of availability of teachers of particular subjects at a given time. The proposed amendment to the Act is necessary to allow the Minister to regulate the use of unregistered personnel. To date the use of unqualified personnel in schools has not been regulated in this way.

The Department is in ongoing contact with the Teaching Council on several issues including section 30 of the Teaching Council Act. Recently, a delegation of senior departmental officials attended an extraordinary meeting of the council, at which they explained the Department's policy regarding the Bill. I hope the council can accept that our shared view that only registered personnel be employed by schools must be counterbalanced by the obligation on my office to provide schools in the State can function effectively.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Does that not fly in the face of the fact that 30% of last year's University College Dublin graduates are unemployed? This highlights the lack of an arrangement with the unions to provide for a database of qualified people that could be used as substitute teachers. Will the Minister consider putting a sunset clause in the Bill to ensure this ceases from the end of next year?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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That can be considered for the existing personnel who for one reason or other are not registered. There is no regulation in place with regard to this matter. I will set down strict regulations. On the basis people are not adhering to the circular on the non-employment of retired teachers, I will add another legislative measure to prevent this happening. The INTO does have a list system to allow teachers-----

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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What about a sunset clause?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I could consider that approach. I want to see if there is any possibility to get this legislation through the House before the general election.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That concludes Question Time for today.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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For this year.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Maybe even for ever.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Before I conclude my stint in the Chair today, I wish all Members present, our colleagues and the Oireachtas staff who have worked so diligently throughout the year a very restful and invigorating Christmas for whatever lies ahead in 2011.

Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.