Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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266. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will clarify when the timebound provision will open for new teacher registrations; if there are plans to ensure that the Teaching Council provides better support and guidance and prompt updates throughout the registration process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50471/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 qualification requirements for each route are set down in the Schedule.

The qualifications of teachers who qualified outside of the Republic of Ireland are assessed on an individual and holistic basis for the purposes of registering as a teacher. Qualifications are assessed for comparability with graduates of initial teacher education programmes accredited by the Teaching Council. All applications from teachers who qualified abroad are processed in line with the EU Directive 2005/36/EC and are assessed in the same manner, regardless of whether they qualified within or outside the EU. The EU Directive provides for the assessment of qualifications for the purposes of recognition, and this recognition may be subject to conditions. The directive enables those teachers who are registered or certified to teach in the jurisdictions in which their qualifications are obtained to apply for registration in the State, however where such registration or certification includes a mandated period of induction or post-qualification practice under the directive this is a requirement of registration in the State.

To assist further with teacher supply challenges, I announced last April that I would work with the Teaching Council to introduce a proposal to enable eligible teachers who have qualified outside of Ireland to apply for registration and complete their induction requirement here.

I see this as an important step in encouraging more teachers to work and start their careers here in Ireland.

Under the Teaching Council Act, the Council makes regulations for the purposes of registration through statutory instrument, including to amend or replace existing regulations. A new set of registration regulations have been drafted which include the provision for induction in the state for teachers qualified outside of the state for a specified period of time. The making of such regulations are subject to certain requirements, including engaging with the Data Protection Commissioner in the context of data protection legislation. Statutory Instrument No 413/2022 - European Union (Regulated Professional Assessment) Regulations 2022 prescribes that a proportionality impact assessment be carried out on any regulations related to access regulated professions, so this was also undertaken on the draft registration regulations. The Teaching Council also undertook consultation with relevant education stakeholders as is the usual practice. Legal advice was also obtained and all of those steps added to the time required, ensuring that the final draft regulations are proportional, with no legal impediments to the making of same.

It is expected that primary and post-primary teachers, who qualified outside of the Republic of Ireland and apply to complete their induction here under the new provision, will be subject to meeting eligibility and qualifications requirements prior to approval.

I am pleased to inform you that the final draft of the new Registration Regulations has been received from the Teaching Council and is progressing through the required procedures so that it can be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas to be implemented shortly.

Please refer to the Teaching Council website, www.teachingcouncil.ie, for updates regarding the making of the new Registration Regulations, and for information on accessing the timebound provision for overseas qualified applicants to register and complete their induction in the State.

The Teaching Council has streamlined registration systems and processes in place to ensure the timely processing of applications for registration while also ensuring that professional standards are upheld, in line with its statutory remit. The Teaching Council assists the progress of applicants by providing support and guidance at all times throughout the process.