Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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240. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on changes to regulation 3 which relates to the employment of Montessori and other categories of teachers; if she will provide an assurance that teachers in this category will not be adversely affected by changes to the regulation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8852/16]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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251. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to clarify the regulation changes being implemented by the Teaching Council with regard to removing regulation 3 which will result in Level 8 degree holders in Montessori Education being unable to teach in a special school setting or as a resource teacher in a mainstream setting. [8942/16]

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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252. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the up to date position regarding the proposed abolition of regulation 3, Montessori and other categories; if she will ensure that a fair and appropriate consultation will take place with the interested parties, particularly with the body of teachers trained by a college (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8957/16]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take questions 240, 251 and 252 together.

The Teaching Council is the body with statutory responsibility and authority for regulation of the teaching profession including the registration of teachers under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015.

The Teaching Council's pathways to registration were set out initially in the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2009, under which graduates with certain Montessori qualifications (Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications) met the requirements of Regulation 3 (Montessori and other categories). Further to publication of its draft revised registration regulations to reflect current policy on teacher education in 2014 and significant stakeholder engagement, the Teaching Council intends to provide for persons currently registered with the Council under Regulation 3 on the basis of holding a level 8 Montessori qualification. The Council also intends to allow for the registration of persons who obtain a level 8 Montessori qualification, where the course was commenced on or before 1 October 2016 and the qualification obtained before the end of 2021.

The Department has no plans to change the current position whereby teachers who are registered with a level 8 Montessori qualification under Regulation 3 (or its equivalent in the new regulations) are eligible for employment as teachers of pupils with special education needs in recognised mainstream primary schools and special schools.