Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on establishing an appeals mechanism within the remit of the Teaching Council which would allow those teachers who are unsuccessful in obtaining recognition of their qualifications from the council to have the matter appealed to an independent or expert group at arm's length from the council; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many of the decisions being taken by the council can cause difficulties for the applicants concerned, and the need to address these matters in a humane and understanding way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4277/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Teaching Council registers new teachers in accordance with section 31 of the Teaching Council Act. One of the principal requirements for registration is satisfying the relevant qualification conditions, a process also known as qualification recognition. Pending the approval of draft Registration Regulations the Council is using the educational qualification standards set by the Department of Education & Science and the former Registration Council which were in existence prior to the Council's establishment in March 2006.

The process for recognising (assessing) qualifications involves the review of the applicant's educational qualifications by Council staff. Where the qualifications have general recognition, e.g. B.Ed from Mary Immaculate College of Education, the qualifications are recognized subject to satisfactory confirmation that the applicant has successfully achieved the relevant qualification.

Where the applicant's educational qualifications are 'non-standard', details of the course and transcripts are sought from the applicant and these are passed to external assessors for assessment. The applicant's file and the results of the assessment are presented to the Council's Primary Application's Panel or Post-Primary Application's Panel as appropriate. The Panel reviews the documentation provided and the recommendation of the assessor. Where the Panel decides that the applicant's educational qualifications do not meet the standard required, the applicant is advised accordingly and given the opportunity to present any further information they may have and to have a second external assessment undertaken. If a second assessment is undertaken, the Panel further reviews the file and assessments. The applicant is advised of the outcome of this review.

The refusal to recognise an applicant's educational qualifications can in effect prevent an applicant from being registered as a teacher under section 31(5) of the Teaching Council Act. The Council is currently putting in place an appeals mechanism to hear appeals from applicants whose educational qualifications have not been recognised in the process outlined in the preceding paragraph. It is expected that the appeals mechanism will be presented to the Council for approval at its next meeting on March 10th.

Under sections 31 (7) and (8) of the Teaching Council Act, an applicant does have the right to go to the High Court where the Council refuses registration. It is the Council's view that every opportunity should be given to the applicant to make their case fully prior to the possibility of having to go the High Court.

The Council and the Applications Panels are very cognisant of the impact of a refusal to recognise an applicant's qualifications. The Council endeavours to be transparent in its dealings with applicants and give the benefit of the doubt where reasonable. This includes giving Conditional Registration which allows the applicant to be registered and gives an opportunity to make good the identified educational deficiencies. Notwithstanding the Council is obliged to maintain teaching standards and be consistent in its approach to the thousands of applications it receives. Inevitably this will result in some applicants not having their qualifications recognised.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of cases that have come before the Teaching Council in each year since it was established; the number of applications to the Teaching Council for recognition of their qualifications for the purpose of admission to the register of primary and post primary teachers that have been unsuccessful in their application in each year; the number of unqualified teachers in both primary and post primary education that are currently working within the system on the basis of discussions between the Teaching Council and her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4278/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In response to the Deputy's question, the Teaching Council has provided the following information:

The number of cases that have come before the Teaching Council in each year since it was established: The following information (A & B below) refers to registration cases only:

The number of applications to the Teaching Council for recognition of their qualifications for the purpose of admission to the register of primary and post primary teachers that have been unsuccessful in their application in each year:

No individual year data are available.

The Council has received 2,533 Applications for recognition since March 2006. Please see notes 2, 3 and 4 below regarding unsuccessful applications.

The number of unqualified teachers in both primary and post primary education that are currently working within the system on the basis of discussions between the Teaching Council and her Department:

The Council has verified qualifications on the basis of Data Verification Forms sent by teachers to the Council in 2006. The following numbers of teachers have been verified as not being qualified.

Unqualified at Primary Level 231

Unqualified at Post Primary Level 335

These figures are not complete as a considerable number of teachers have not returned their qualification details to the Council.

1. Qualifications Recognition and Teacher Registration

It is only when the recognition process is completed that an applicant will seek registration. As a result, all applicants that seek registration via this route are registered. (Unless there is a problem with Garda Vetting, Original Transcripts or Proof of Identity). Only one applicant has continued to seek registration having not received recognition and this case is currently being processed.

2. Primary

Since Establishment day, 1328 applications for the recognition of primary teaching qualifications have been received. Approximately 80 applications have not been granted recognition. The remainder have either received full recognition or have been granted provisional recognition on the basis that a number of shortfalls (primarily in the Irish Language) will be fulfilled. There are also 34 applications from those who have completed a SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training) programme of Teacher Education that are in the process of recognition.

3. Post-Primary

At post-primary level, 1046 applications for recognition have been received, but it is not possible to determine the exact number that have been recognised, as some applicants have received recognition of their primary degree or teacher education qualification or both, and some are already recognised and were seeking additional subjects. Of the 1046, applications at least 50 applications are from applicants seeking recognition of their degree prior to entering the Postgraduate Diploma in Education.

4. Further Education

159 applications for recognition in the Further Education sector have been received within the past 12 months. The Council has commenced the recognition process and will issue its first batch of decisions within the coming days.