Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason the Teaching Council refuses to recognise the City and Guilds further and adult education teachers certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7443/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the recognition of teacher qualifications is now a matter for the Teaching Council, the body with responsibility for establishing and maintaining standards in the teaching profession. The Teaching Council considers applications to be registered as a teacher in the further education sector under Regulation 5 of the Teaching Council Registration Regulations, which I approved in November 2009. For the purpose of registration under regulation 5, the Council requires that an applicant have a primary degree or equivalent which is considered suitable. There is currently no general requirement for a further and adult education teacher's certification from the City and Guilds or any other awarding body for the purposes of registration.

The Council has set out a requirement in Regulation 5 that applicants wishing to register under that regulation will have to have an accredited teacher education qualification from 1 April 2013. The Council is currently consulting with the 3rd level colleges and other relevant stakeholders with a view to setting down a framework and criteria for the accreditation of a teacher education qualification for teachers in the FE sector. I would recommend that persons with queries as to recognition of qualifications should make direct contact with the Council.