Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he intends to commence Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act 2001, making it compulsary for all teachers to be registered with the Teaching Council in order to be paid from State funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1445/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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My Department is currently coordinating an implementation process across 34 paymasters and the Teaching Council in preparation for the commencement of Section 30 as soon as is practicable.

The commencement of Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act, 2001 will have a significant impact on those persons who remain in teaching posts but who have been unable to gain registration with the Teaching Council, as the operation of the Section will prohibit payment of these individuals from funds provided by the Oireachtas. It is therefore vital that all technical preparation work has been completed and all persons who are eligible for registration with the Teaching Council are provided a clear opportunity to do so before commencement of the provision as amended in the Education (Amendment) Act, 2012.

Schools as employers, through their management bodies, must also be provided with standardised procedures for treatment of those persons who fail to gain registration with the Teaching Council or who fail to maintain their registration with the Council once Section 30 is commenced. Failure to provide clear and transparent guidelines may result in discrepant treatment of persons impacted by the Section. Consultation with the management bodies in this regard has begun.

I look forward to commencing the provision once the requisite preparation is complete.