Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

The purpose of the amendment is to provide for the amendment of section 38 of the Teaching Council Act 2001. This provision clarifies a function of the Teaching Council with regard to programmes of teacher education and training provided by institutions of higher education and training. Section 38 states: "The Council shall, from time to time, (a) review and accredit the programmes of teacher education and training ...". This may be interpreted as requiring the council to accredit all of the programmes it reviews. For the avoidance of doubt, the Bill contains a provision to allow the council to accredit programmes where it is appropriate to do so. Amendment No. 47 was dealt with as it was grouped with amendments Nos. 6, 16, 42 and 46.