Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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373. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider a review of the minimum requirement of a leaving certificate O4 grade in mathematics to enter primary teacher training colleges; if she will consider allowing for other methods to allow students to meet the level of mathematics required in tandem with studying primary teaching; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3291/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department specifies the minimum entry requirements in the core subjects: Irish, English and Mathematics for entry into primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes to ensure that primary teachers have the capacity to lead in these significant areas of student learning. The current Leaving Certificate entry requirement is a O4 in Mathematics.

All candidates, including school leavers, mature students and university graduates must hold the required level of Leaving Certificate Irish, English or Mathematics or an approved equivalent for entry into primary ITE programmes.

In the case of a mature student or a student entering the postgraduate programme who does not meet the minimum entry requirement in Irish, English or Mathematics, it is open to the candidate to repeat the Leaving Certificate Examination or pursue a course of study leading to the one of the alternative qualifications in the subject(s) concerned as outlined in the published Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching) Entry Requirements and Procedures for 2023 Link: gov.ie - How to qualify as a primary teacher (www.gov.ie).