Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

293. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she can provide the rationale for the current system where a certain Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) level is an entry requirement for State-funded teacher training colleges, but not privately run colleges; if she will consider implementing a standardised TEG level requirement for all teacher training colleges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68099/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

All prospective applicants for primary Professional Masters of Education (PME) programmes in the four State-funded teacher training colleges must, in addition to achieving a H4 in Irish in the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent), complete the application process as set out by the relevant Higher Education Institute (HEI).

Prior to 2019, to apply under the PME route to primary teaching, applicants who had already satisfied the minimum entry requirements in English, Irish and Maths potentially had to do multiple Irish oral examinations, as HEIs held their own interviews to determine proficiency in both English and Irish.

From 2019, the application process for the State-funded primary PME providers has been streamlined and since then has included a requirement to have achieved a Pass with Merit in the oral component of the Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) Meánleibhéal 1 (B1) Irish examination. This change of practice came about at the request of the State-funded primary PME providers (Dublin City University, Maynooth University, Marino Institute of Education and Mary Immaculate College).

Hibernia College, the private provider of primary PME programmes, interviews each prospective student as part of its application process and continues to include an oral Irish component to determine the student’s language proficiency. The college will also accept a Pass with Merit in the B1 in the TEG (oral) in lieu of the Irish interview, where it has been achieved within the previous two years.

I hope this information is of use.

Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

294. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she can provide the rationale for the current system where a certain Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) level is an entry requirement for State-funded teacher training colleges, but not privately run colleges; if she will consider implementing a standardised TEG level requirement for all teacher training colleges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68100/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

All prospective applicants for primary Professional Masters of Education (PME) programmes in the four State-funded teacher training colleges must, in addition to achieving a H4 in Irish in the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent), complete the application process as set out by the relevant Higher Education Institute (HEI).

Prior to 2019, to apply under the PME route to primary teaching, applicants who had already satisfied the minimum entry requirements in English, Irish and Maths potentially had to do multiple Irish oral examinations, as HEIs held their own interviews to determine proficiency in both English and Irish.

From 2019, the application process for the State-funded primary PME providers has been streamlined and since then has included a requirement to have achieved a Pass with Merit in the oral component of the Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) Meánleibhéal 1 (B1) Irish examination. This change of practice came about at the request of the State-funded primary PME providers (Dublin City University, Maynooth University, Marino Institute of Education and Mary Immaculate College).

Hibernia College, the private provider of primary PME programmes, interviews each prospective student as part of its application process and continues to include an oral Irish component to determine the student’s language proficiency. The college will also accept a Pass with Merit in the B1 in the TEG (oral) in lieu of the Irish interview, where it has been achieved within the previous two years.

I hope this information is of use.