Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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226. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the Teaching Council is operating during the Covid-19 crisis; if it is accepting registration and re-registration applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7756/20]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The Teaching Council has informed me that due to the current Covid-19 emergency, its offices are closed to the public and its staff are working remotely. During the initial stages of the lockdown new applications for registrations were suspended as they could not be processed remotely. I am advised that with effect from the 5th of May, on a limited basis and in keeping with public health guidelines, a small number of staff are attending the office to carry out essential work which cannot be done remotely including processing applications for registration. Given the nature of the current crisis and limited access to the workplace, delays in processing applications should be expected.

Applicants for registration are asked to ensure that all forms and supporting documentation submitted are correct and fully completed in advance of submission. Missing documentation will require further follow-up with the applicant which can lead to delays in registration.

The Teaching Council also advises that the majority of registration renewals are done online and that renewals received by post are also being processed. Similar delays may be experienced for renewals, where not conducted through the online system, due to public health guidelines and limitations on staff accessing the office to process post.