Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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427. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if, before taking up a teaching position in Ireland having qualified in another country, it is a requirement to have completed the newly qualified teacher, NQT, year in the country of qualification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44747/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise that the Teaching Council has statutory responsibility for registering qualified teachers in addition to establishing procedures for induction processes.

Fully qualified teachers who have qualified outside of the Republic of Ireland are eligible to apply for registration with the Teaching Council. All applications from teachers who qualified abroad are processed in line with the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

A person deemed to be a fully qualified teacher has completed a recognised teacher education qualification and any required programme of induction/period of post-qualification employment in the country in which they qualified and can provide an official letter from the relevant teacher registration body/Competent Authority or Ministry of Education confirming recognition as a fully qualified teacher in the State/ country.

Due to the exceptional circumstances presented by the Covid-19 emergency, the Teaching Council accepted applications from primary and post-primary teachers, up to 30 October 2020, who had qualified outside of Ireland but who had not completed the required period of induction in the country in which they qualified.

It is recommended that any teacher who wishes to clarify their particular situation should make contact directly with the Teaching Council. Queries to the Council may be sent by email to conditions@teachingcouncil.ie and a teacher should ensure to include their full name and Teaching Council registration number.