Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 1097: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if new guidelines have been introduced for UK qualified primary school teachers regarding religious education training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1218/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am not aware of any proposal being developed within my Department to introduce guidelines for UK qualified primary school teachers in regard to religious education training. The position regarding religious education in primary schools is governed by paragraphs 68 and 69 in the rules and regulations for primary schools. A deed of variation was agreed between the education partners in 1997 covering religious education in all primary schools. In addition, as provided by the 1998 Education Act, my Department recognises the rights of the different church authorities to design curricula in religious education at primary level as well as supervising their teaching and implementation. Consequently, although religious education is part of the curriculum for primary schools and schools are obliged to allocate 30 minutes per day for religious instruction, the content of the religion programme is determined by the patron of a particular school.

The position regarding suitable and appropriate qualification in religious education is generally a matter for the various religious denominations. In Roman Catholic primary schools there are English-trained teachers working in primary schools who have an appropriate qualification in religious education. For those UK qualified teachers who require a qualification in religious education, an on-line training course, leading to the award of a Catholic certificate in religious education is available in Northern Ireland and England. One college of education in the State is exploring the development of an appropriate accredited programme in this area and this would be open to UK qualified teachers.

School management authorities in other Christian primary schools do not require a qualification in religious education. Most of these schools follow a religious education programme titled, Follow Me. This programme has an in-service component to assist teachers in the teaching of religion and it is available to Church of Ireland, Methodist, and Presbyterian schools. Teaching materials are available for these primary schools and in-service is given to all teachers, including UK qualified teachers. No further training is planned in this area.

The Muslim, Jewish and Educate Together schools have their own arrangements in place with regard to qualification and training requirements for the teaching of religion in their schools.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 1098: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in processing the provisional recognition for a primary school teacher qualified in the UK (details supplied); the person who is dealing with the case; when the provisional recognition will be granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1219/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The application for provisional recognition referred to by the Deputy was submitted to my Department in November, 2004 and received consideration within the primary administration section and the inspectorate. The documentation required of applicants, as outlined in circular 25/00, includes a request for detailed information on course content, normally provided by the teacher education institution concerned. The applicant, who was awarded qualified teacher status in July, 2004 following completion of an employment-based graduate training programme, did not provide sufficient details of course content. As a result, further information has been requested. On receipt of this information, the application will receive further consideration.