Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 1836: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will examine the criteria for the higher diploma in education in respect of students who qualify with an arts degree from Ballyfermot College; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29532/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Teaching Council is the designated statutory body for the recognition of qualifications for teaching. A post-primary teacher in this State must hold a suitable degree and a suitable teacher-education qualification.

A suitable degree is a degree or equivalent award from a State recognised university or similar third level college which is adequate to enable the holder to teach to the highest level (in the case of the majority of subjects, this is Leaving Certificate, higher level) at least one subject from the post-primary schools curriculum. The duration of such a degree programme must be at least three years of full-time study or equivalent.

A suitable teacher-education qualification is a qualification from a State recognised university or similar third level college directed towards the 12-18 age range (First year to Sixth year). The duration of such a programme must be at least one year of full-time study or equivalent.

Recognised third level institutions can apply to have particular qualifications approved for post primary teaching. Where granted, this approval is referred to as general recognition for teaching at post primary level. Where a third level institution has not applied for and been granted general recognition for a particular qualification, it is open to the individual to apply to the Teaching Council for recognition.

The Teaching Council has informed my Department that it has not been asked to assess qualifications from Ballyfermot College of Further Education for the purposes of general recognition. If an individual graduate or Ballyfermot Further Education College wishes to have a qualification assessed for teacher registration purposes, the individual or the College should apply to the Teaching Council and the qualification will then go through the assessment process.

Access to the Postgraduate Diploma in Education is managed by the Postgraduate Diploma in Education Applications Centre in Galway www.pac.ie for the NUI colleges or Trinity College, University of Limerick and DCU directly. In all cases applicants are required to hold a degree recognised by the Teaching Council for registration purposes.