Written answers
Wednesday, 22 January 2025
Department of Education and Skills
Teaching Council of Ireland
Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
502. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of barriers created by the Teaching Council’s registration process (details supplied); if she will instruct the Teaching Council to provide back pay and recognition for the years of teaching experience; and if she will instruct the Teaching Council regarding the need for an appeals process for incremental credit recognition. [46452/24]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
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. The registration requirements for each route are set out in the .
The Teaching Council have confirmed that an application for registration under Route 2 (Post -primary) was received from the person that the Deputy is referring to in this query on 31 May 2023. The application could not progress at that time, due to documentation outstanding. This was in relation to module descriptions for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Physical Education (Secondary) completed at De Montfort University. Following consultation with Council staff with regards to progressing this application, on the 29 September 2023 the applicant was advised that if they could obtain an email from the University confirming that relevant documentation is limited due to the length of time which had passed since they completed their qualification, that this would be sufficient to progress the application.
This email was received from De Montfort University on 2 October 2023 and as all documentation had then been received in relation to the application, it was then referred for assessment to the external advisor.
In line with standard processes and procedures the completed assessment report was then referred to the Qualifications Panel to be ratified at their meeting on 21 November 2023. There was an item pertaining to the applicants vetting application outstanding before their registration could be finalised. This outstanding vetting documentation was received, and registration was finalised on the 1 December 2023.
Applicants are advised in all communications that applications can take up to 12 weeks to process from the date that the Council receives all required documentation. I note that in this instance the application was completed, and registration was finalised in 8.5 weeks from receipt of all required documentation.
The criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in the Department of Education’s Circulars for primary teachers, and 29/2007 and 29/2010 for post-primary teachers. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC).
The two applications submitted by this teacher for an incremental credit award were for previous teaching service in primary schools in the United Kingdom. For award of incremental credit for previous teaching service, a teacher must be qualified in the appropriate sector as determined by the Teaching Council of Ireland. As both applications were for previous teaching service in primary schools in the UK and this teacher is registered with the Teaching Council as Route 2 – Post-primary sector, the applications were refused.
Where an application for teaching service is refused, there is no provision to appeal that decision under Circular 29/2007.
No comments