Written answers
Tuesday, 11 October 2005
Department of Education and Science
Teaching Qualifications
9:00 pm
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she intends to bring the Irish language entry requirements for primary teaching courses into line with those for English and mathematics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27570/05]
Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department specifies the minimum academic requirements for entry to primary teacher training courses provided in the colleges of education. As part of these requirements, all candidates, including school leavers, mature students and university graduates, must have a minimum of a grade C in higher level in Irish in the leaving certificate or an approved equivalent. This requirement embodies both the written and oral element of a student's proficiency in Irish.
My Department considers it to be the minimum standard in Irish necessary for students entering a teacher training course which will equip them to teach Irish to pupils at all levels in primary schools.
I have no plans to change the entry requirements to primary teacher training courses at present.
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