Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 540: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to reports that immigrant teachers, including teachers with desperately needed skills such as English as a second language have been refused posts in primary schools on the grounds of the religious ethos exemption; if this exemption needs to be revisited or abolished to ensure it is not being used as a cover for racially motivated discrimination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3966/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The appointment of a primary teacher is a matter for the school Board of Management. My Department's function is to ensure that the appointment is warranted by reference to the staffing schedule and to ensure that the person being appointed is qualified for the post.

Boards of Management are obliged to recruit and employ fully qualified primary teachers for any vacancy in the school, regardless of the duration of the vacancy. Information regarding recognised qualifications can be obtained from the Primary Administration Section of my Department.

The procedures for the appointment of teachers as outlined in the Constitution of Boards and Rules of Procedures for Boards of Management of National Schools must be adhered to at all times.