David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

355. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the requirements that are necessary to allow those with teaching qualifications from Ukraine to teach at Irish primary and secondary level schools; if there are other roles that those with such qualifications could play in Irish schools given the number of children from Ukraine currently enrolled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61818/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Teaching Council is the professional standards body for the teaching profession, which promotes and regulates professional standards of teaching in Ireland.

The Council have advised that they have engaged with the Ukrainian Embassy, National Vetting Bureau, Department of Education, and other State bodies in relation to the registration and vetting of qualified Ukrainian teachers who have been granted Temporary Protection under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. As a response to these unprecedented circumstances, the Council has finalised a tailored process to support the registration and vetting of qualified Ukrainian teachers. This includes a modified application process with a specific application form. Additionally, a guidance document to support the process has been made available in both English and Ukrainian.

Registration as a teacher is a statutory process governed by Irish and EU legislation. Where teachers from Ukraine have evidence of qualified teacher status, they can apply to be admitted to the Register of Teachers in Ireland in order to teach in State-recognised schools. Each application for registration will be assessed on a case-by-case basis under the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016.

Teachers who do not meet all the registration requirements may be registered subject to conditions. A range of conditions may be attached to a teacher's registration in line with any identified shortfalls. The teacher will be given three years to address these conditions during which time the Council will continue to engage with the teacher, as necessary.

Once registered, Ukrainian teachers, irrespective of conditional registration status, are eligible to receive a State-funded salary and teach in recognised schools. It should be noted the employment and deployment of teachers within the school system falls outside the remit of the Teaching Council.

Any qualified Ukrainian teacher interested in applying for registration should email ukrainianteachers@teachingcouncil.ieand will be provided with the necessary documentation.

Whilst there are roles that a person who is registered with the Teaching Council could play in Irish schools, the recruitment of teachers and other teaching support staff are a matter for the Schools Board of Management as my Department is not involved in the day-to-day management of schools.