Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 1119: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the requirements or qualifications necessary in respect of home-based school teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24758/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is responsible for the regulation of the professions of primary school teacher, community and comprehensive school teacher, vocational school teacher and teacher or lecturer in the institutes of technology. These are regulated professions under the EU directive on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, and the requirements for recognition of qualifications in this area are set out in the Department's website.

My Department does not regulate teacher qualifications in the private sector, or prescribe minimum qualifications for home educated pupils. The Department's guidelines on the assessment of education in places other than recognised schools, published in 2003, state in section 4.5 that there is no requirement for home based educators to have any special qualifications. However, they must demonstrate a commitment and capacity to provide an education suitable to the needs of the child. The guidelines set out the basis on which a certain minimum education may be assessed for the purpose of meeting the requirements of the Education (Welfare) Act. Under the Act, the National Educational Welfare Board is responsible for ensuring that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a suitable minimum education.