Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 436: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if there has been changes in the restrictive entry regulations for teachers; the action that will be taken in relation to people who have been appointed for teaching positions but are regarded as restricted entry teachers due to their lack of the Irish language; the position in relation to same; if she has made changes to it; her plans to make changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29535/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to promoting the Irish language in our schools and colleges and to the continuation of teaching of Irish as an obligatory subject from primary to Leaving Cert level while fostering oral and written competence.

As part of the minimum academic entry requirements for primary teacher training, all candidates must have a minimum of a Grade C3 at Higher Level in Irish in the Leaving Certificate or an approved equivalent. This requirement embodies both the written and oral element of a student's proficiency in Irish.

I consider it to be the minimum standard in Irish necessary for students entering a teacher training course which will equip them to teach Irish to pupils at all levels in primary schools. This applies equally to persons who qualified as teachers in other jurisdictions, as to those who train in Ireland.

EU Directive 2005/36/EC governing the recognition of professional qualifications came into force on 20 October 2007. The Teaching Council is the designated authority for recognition of qualifications for the regulated profession of primary and secondary teachers.

Persons wishing to be registered as teachers in this country must apply to the Teaching Council for recognition of their qualifications. Once all requirements have been met by applicants, and their qualifications are recognised by the Teaching Council, applicants may apply to be registered as primary or post-primary teachers.

The Council reviews and recognises a number of teacher training courses in Ireland for these purposes. The Council also assesses and where appropriate recognises a very wide range of other degrees and post-graduate qualifications presented by applicants from a range of countries.

In relation to the teaching profession, qualifications which are recognised in another Member State must be recognised in the host Member State. Where a comparison of the content of a qualification reveals a substantial difference vis-À-vis that needed in host Member State, recognition may be refused, except in the case where the level is just one level below that required, when recognition must be allowed but a compensation measure (aptitude test or period of supervised practice) can be applied to compensate for a substantial difference.

In relation to the Irish Language requirement, this may be addressed by successfully completing the "An Scrudú le hAghaidh Cailíochta sa Ghaeilge.

I have no plans to drop the Irish language requirements for entry to primary teacher training.