Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will extend the time available to a person (details supplied) in order to complete satisfactorily their Scrúdú Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21745/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Teachers trained outside the jurisdiction of the State, whose qualifications have been assessed and accepted by my Department, but who do not possess an appropriate Irish language qualification, are granted a five year period of provisional recognition to teach in mainstream classes in national schools. During this period these teachers are expected to obtain their Irish language qualification, Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge (SCG), in order to become fully recognised as mainstream class teachers, learning support teachers, and home/school/community/liaison teachers. They must also provide certification that they have resided in the Gaeltacht while attending an approved three-week course or its aggregated equivalent.

As an exceptional measure, this five-year period was extended to seven years for those candidates who held provisional recognition prior to April 2004. In relation to requests from individuals for further extensions to their period of provisional recognition, such requests are considered by my Department on a case by case basis. Where it is considered that individuals requesting extensions to their period of provisional recognition have made significant progress in attempting to pass the SCG an extension may be considered.

In the case referred to by the Deputy the person in question was granted a five-year period of provisional recognition from 1st September 1999 to 31st August 2004. This initial period was further extended to 31st August, 2006. Despite the granting of this already extended period of provisional recognition this person has not presented for any SCG examination. In light of the foregoing a further extension of this person's period of provisional recognition is not warranted. I would point out that the withdrawal of provisional recognition does not in any way preclude the person in question from continuing to study for and sit the SCG. The person in question will also retain her restricted recognition to teach in special classes in mainstream national schools and certain special schools.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 383: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the measures necessary to enable a person (details supplied) who is currently pursuing their Scrúdú Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge with provisional recognition in order that they might access a career break. [21750/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Teachers in national schools are generalists rather than subject specialists and must be qualified to teach the range of primary school subjects to children aged 4 to 12 years. Accordingly, applicants must satisfy the Department of Education and Science that they are competent to teach the Irish language and to teach the range of primary school curricular subjects through the medium of Irish before being granted full recognition to teach in mainstream classes in national schools.

Teachers trained outside the jurisdiction of the State, whose qualifications have been assessed and accepted by my Department, but who do not possess an appropriate Irish language qualification, are granted a five year period of provisional recognition to teach in mainstream classes in national schools. During this period these teachers are expected to obtain their Irish language qualification in order to become fully recognised. These teachers are remunerated in the same manner as fully qualified teachers during this period.

Holders of provisional recognition must pass the written, aural and oral parts of an examination in the Irish language "An Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge" (SCG) in order to be granted full recognition to teach in mainstream classes in national schools. In addition, they must provide certification that they have resided in the Gaeltacht while attending an approved three-week course.

Details of the career break scheme for primary teachers are set out in Department Circular 10/03 which issued to all schools in March, 2003. In order to be eligible for a career break, a primary teacher must be permanent and have satisfactorily completed probation. As the requirement with regard to probation has not been met in this case, the person referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for a career break.