Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

When will the next meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges take place to discuss the Government's proposals for Seanad reform? I know we will have a discussion on it this afternoon but I would like to hear what is happening at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and what the Government's proposals are.

It was interesting to hear Senator Naughten speak about education. We have spent a lot of money investing in education over the years but I refer to a more recent development, namely, the national induction programme for teachers which I believe is a real problem for us. We have educated a fairly large number of teachers who have received degrees and qualifications after four years. Many of them could not get a job so they have had to go somewhere to get one, including Canada, Spain and elsewhere. The Teaching Council requires that one must become fully qualified which means one must attend something like ten weekend courses. Someone in Spain, Canada or elsewhere trying to earn a living must come back here to attend courses. As far as I can see, these courses having nothing to do with education but with handling things such as what one does if one comes in late for work.

We must recognise the situation of students who qualified, got their degrees and thought they were fully qualified teachers but who have not been able to get a job in Ireland and have to go somewhere else. Now they cannot become fully qualified because of a new qualification insisted upon by the Teaching Council. I think it is called a newly-qualified teacher programme. We must find some way to resolve that. I will write to the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, with the details of that but it is something the Leader could also raise with the Minister.