Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the way in which her Department examines Montessori teachers; her views on whether same are qualified teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2695/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Two Montessori qualifications are recognised for restricted recognition by my Department, namely the Association Montessori Internationale, AMI, qualification, which has been recognised for teaching in special education settings since 1963 and the national diploma-BA level seven degree or degree in humanities in Montessori education-BA level eight degree from St. Nicholas Montessori College, which are accredited by HETAC, formerly NCEA. Teachers with Montessori qualifications who are recognised by my Department are also eligible to work as substitute teachers in mainstream schools. For this work they are paid at the qualified casual rate.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a determination by her Department in respect of the teaching qualifications of a person (details supplied) in County Laois will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2711/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Registration Council is the statutory body in this country for the recognition of qualifications for the purposes of teaching in secondary schools. The council stipulates that a second level teacher must hold, in addition to the required teacher training, a suitable primary degree or equivalent award from a nationally recognised university or similar third level college, which is adequate to enable the holder to teach to the highest level at least one subject from the second level schools curriculum. The duration of such a degree programme must be at least three years of full-time study or equivalent.

The qualifications of the person referred to by the Deputy were assessed by the Registration Council in 2001 and were deemed suitable for the purposes of teaching chemistry. She was advised that the qualifications had been recognised for this purpose. The council was not satisfied that these qualifications met its criteria for the teaching of mathematics and she was advised that recognition could not be granted for this second subject. A review can be undertaken by the Registration Council should additional documentary evidence be submitted that addresses the shortfalls identified by the council in respect of mathematics.