Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 171: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if it is possible for teachers to complete the probationary diploma year with the new voluntary scheme for teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48304/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department issued circular 66/2010 which permits schools to participate in the FÁS Work Placement Programme (WPP) if they so wish.

In the event that primary teachers in a placement under the FÁS Work Placement Programme can meet the conditions associated with the operation of the primary probationary process as outlined in circular 58/2010, there will be nothing to preclude them from applying to be probated.

The probationary process must be completed satisfactorily by teachers if they are to fulfil the conditions of their registration with the Teaching Council, the body with statutory responsibility for the registration of teachers in Ireland. The probationary period ends when the Teaching Council is satisfied that both the service requirement and the professional competence requirement are fully met.

The Inspectorate of my Department evaluate the professional competence of teachers for the purposes of informing the Teaching Council's decisions regarding the registration of primary teachers and set down the criteria used in the inspection of the work of teachers. Limerick Education Centre administers the probationary process on behalf of the Inspectorate and applications for the evaluation of the professional competence aspect of the probationary process should be made to this Centre in the first instance.