Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will support a matter (details supplied). [34918/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate and understand the comments made by the person concerned. We are moving, and must move, towards an all-trained teaching profession, which is the desired situation.

I have indicated my intention to commence Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act in the near future. I have also indicated that the commencement of the section will also provide for it to be regulated that a school may employ unregistered personnel on a time limited basis in extreme circumstances.

While I and my Department and indeed the Teaching Council agree on the desirability of having a fully qualified and registered teaching cohort, I believe that the above proposed legislative arrangement reflects the situation facing schools today where it is not always possible, for a variety of reasons, to engage a registered teacher for substitution duty. It is my duty as Minister to protect our schools, students and the teaching profession. I consider this course of action to be the best way to achieve that, taking into account the realities of the situation.

The person concerned is correct in identifying the fact that there are a number of personnel registered with the Teaching Council who are not qualified teachers. Untrained substitutes have historically fulfilled an important role in schools and Section 31 of the Act entitled personnel employed as teachers in schools at the establishment day of the Teaching Council to be registered as teachers. In time, with the commencement of Section 30, the numbers in this category will fall and eventually be eliminated.