Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 252: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has the necessary qualifications to qualify for a higher diploma in education; if their qualifications are equivalent to the stated guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4587/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Students who wish to undertake the Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary Teaching) or the Higher Diploma in Education (Primary Teaching) in the Colleges of Education must have attained a required standard at Higher Level Leaving Certificate Irish or its equivalent. The procedure for establishing equivalence is to submit details of the course content, duration, standards and assessment processes to my Department for consideration by the Inspectorate. In general, courses deemed equivalent have been offered at third level.

I understand that the Department has been informed that the person in question is currently pursuing a BA in Irish Studies and Religious Studies in Mater Dei College which comprises a module on the Irish language.

In order to assess whether this student meets the entry requirement, information is required from the third level institution and the student.

It is understood that the Inspectorate has requested written details of the course from the third level institution in question and a response is currently awaited. Once the student submits a statement certified by the Institution stating the proportion of the course undertaken to date and detailing the grades awarded in any examinations taken, the Department will be in a position to make a judgement on the case promptly.