Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

301. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that a teacher (details required) is registered with the Teaching Council of Ireland without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24557/23]

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

Under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.

The Teaching Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and in line with the Teaching Council Registration Regulations, 2016.As set out in the Schedule of the Regulations, the Council registers teachers under five routes of registration: Route 1 - Primary, Route 2 - Post-primary, Route 3 - Further Education, Route 4 - Other and Route 5 - Student Teacher.

As a professional standards body, the Council operates in accordance with Irish and EU legislation. The Teaching Council adheres to the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015, the Teaching Council Registration Regulations (2016) and in its role as a competent authority, it operates in accordance with the EU Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive (2005/36/EU as amended).

The recognition of a fully qualified teacher’s qualifications is determined in accordance with EU law; EU Directive, 2005/36/EU, regardless of where the qualification was awarded. A person deemed to be a fully qualified teacher has completed a recognised teacher education qualification and a programme of induction in the country in which they qualified.

The person referred to in correspondence qualified as a primary teacher in the United Kingdom in 2008 and did not complete teacher induction in the UK. In March 2023, the person referred to in correspondence applied for the assessment of their qualifications for the purpose of registration. They were advised that they would not be eligible to apply for registration as they did not have evidence of induction from the UK. The correspondent was also advised by the Teaching Council that they are eligible to apply under the Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment), 2023. The 2023 Amendment allows for teachers who qualified outside of Ireland without induction to apply for registration as an exceptional and time-bound measure, and to complete their induction in Ireland.

The correspondent subsequently applied on 24 April 2023 for registration under the Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment), 2023. This application is currently being processed in line with published time-frames for same. The Teaching Council has advised that the correspondent has been provided with an update. To note, as published on the Teaching Council website, applications from overseas qualified applicants can take up to 12 weeks (in this case, from 24th April) to conclude following receipt of all required documentation.