John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 519: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the correct rate of pay for a qualified teacher will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny for the period they worked at a school; the reasons they were paid an unqualified teacher rate at the school and a qualified teacher rate when they taught in another school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6458/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person referred to by the Deputy is seeking payment of arrears under the Part-Time Workers Act 2001.

Arrears entitlements conferred on casual/non-casual teachers under the terms of the Act apply to qualified teachers only. A teacher in a voluntary secondary school is considered qualified if they can be registered as a secondary teacher, i.e. they must have a degree with teaching subjects and a Higher Diploma in Education.

In this specific case, the person applied to the Registration Council for recognition of her qualifications on the 30th May, 2005. The Registration Council assessed the applicant's qualifications and found that certain shortfalls existed. She has been given a three year adaptation period within which to address these shortfalls and was granted provisional recognition taking effect from the 30th May, 2005.

Teachers who have been granted provisional recognition may be employed in a second-level school at the rate of pay and conditions equivalent to that of a probationer teacher in the period permitted by the Registration Council for compliance with its decision.

As the period the person referred to by the Deputy carried out the casual/non-casual teaching work was prior to the date of provisional recognition, she cannot be considered to be a qualified teacher and therefore, has no entitlement to arrears of pay.