Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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248. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties of trainee teachers in their attempts to gain probationary teaching hours; if he will put in place a strategy to address this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7602/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I am aware that some qualified teachers may experience difficulty in accessing teaching hours to complete their probation for registration purposes because they do not yet hold a teaching position in a school. Measures have been taken by my Department and the Teaching Council to alleviate difficulties faced by teachers in this regard.

One measure relates to the minimum service requirement for probation purposes to secure registration with the Teaching Council as a primary teacher being decreased from 170 days to 100 days in the 2011-12 school year. If an applicant is unable to complete the requirements of a registration condition within the specified period, he or she may apply to the Council for an extension to that period.

In addition, under circular 46/2011 my Department allowed schools and ETBs to participate in the National Internship Scheme, JobBridge, administered by the Department of Social Protection should they so choose.

JobBridge can provide valuable teaching experience to teachers and assist them in securing employment subsequently. Particularly, a JobBridge internship may allow a newly qualified teacher to undergo the probation process and become registered without conditions with the Teaching Council, providing a pathway to an increased range of a career opportunities.

In the wider context, my Department is endeavouring to minimise the impact of recession wherever possible, this includes provision for additional teachers in primary and post primary schools, as well as additional resource teachers for children with special educational needs.