David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if all persons holding a Bachelor in Civil and Environmental Engineering who have successfully completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Education are deemed eligible by the Teaching Council to teach mathematics and applied mathematics at post-primary level; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19170/11]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the discussions, if any, he has had with the Teaching Council regarding the rules and standards which are applied to engineering graduates who have completed Postgraduate Diplomas in Education and their eligibility to teach mathematics and applied mathematics at post-primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19171/11]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 50 together.

The Teaching Council is the body with statutory responsibility for the registration of teachers including the recognition of teaching qualifications. Neither I nor my Department have a role in this process.

Currently, there is a large range of engineering courses which are recognised for the teaching of Mathematics and/or Applied Mathematics. These are listed on the Teaching Council's website. I am advised by the Teaching Council that eligibility for registration depends on the amount of Mathematics or Applied Mathematics covered in the undergraduate degree course.

The Teaching Council has engaged with the professional body for engineers, Engineers Ireland, on this matter with a view to identifying further study options through which persons with engineering degrees not recognised above can make up for shortfalls in mathematical content in their qualifications. Options identified include a Higher Diploma in Mathematics/Mathematical Studies available in a number of Irish Universities or one or more modules in Mathematics available from the Open University. Engineering graduates interested in following one of these routes should check with the Teaching Council beforehand to ensure that the proposed qualification would make up for any mathematical shortfalls in their engineering degree.