Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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517. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the progress of the timebound provision for teachers who qualify outside of the Republic of Ireland; her views with respect to the delay in the opening of applications which was forecast to happen in quarter 1 of 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29137/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with the statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the state.

It is a function of the Council under the Teaching Council Acts (s7(2)) to act as the competent authority for recognition of qualifications obtained by a person who has applied under this Act for registration as a teacher.

The Teaching Council register teachers under the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and in line with the Teaching Council Registration Regulations, 2016. (www.teachingcouncil.ie/en/publications/registration/revised-teaching-council-registration-regulations-2016.pdf) 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 timebound provision that the Deputy has referred to in this query will be introduced as part of new Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations. I assure you that the legislation is progressing.

Once the new regulations are enacted the Teaching Council will:

• Issue an email to registered teachers to announce the revised regulations, and this email will include reference to the timebound provision.
• Issue an email to those applicants who have made enquiries in relation to applying for registration under the timebound provision.