asked the Minister for Education why a qualified teacher (name supplied) in County Donegal who obtained honours in Irish in the leaving certificate examination and who applied for recognition as a primary teacher in the Republic in August, 1974, has been refused recognition.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Donegal Teacher Recognition.
35.
Mr. R. Burke
Persons who have completed a recognised course of teacher training outside this State or who are in the final year of such course can, in ordinary circumstances, take a special examination in oral Irish held by my Department, with a view to qualifying for recognition as national teacher here. Application for the examination must be made on the appropriate form, accompanied by the prescribed fee.
There is no record of an application having been received in my Department from the person to whom the Deputy's question refers in respect of the special examination held in August last nor is there any record of his having been refused permission to take the examination.
This special examination will not be held in the current year, but if the person concerned is eligible to take the examination he may make application to do so when the examination comes to be held again in 1976. A note has been made of his name and address and information as to the resumption of the examination, with an application form, will be sent to him in due course.
Am I to take it from what the Minister has said that the procedures obtaining up to this year for teachers trained in the Six Counties or in Britain will obtain again in 1976?
The Deputy will appreciate that we are dealing here with a specific case.
I agree but it seems to be possible to get a principle out of what the Minister has said.
It is not normally in order to extend the scope of a question.
Did the Minister indicate in his reply that this man may sit for the examination in 1976?
Mr. R. Burke
I said if the person concerned is eligible to take the examination he may make application to do so when it comes to be held again in 1976.
Which examination is the Minister referring to?
Mr. R. Burke
The inspector examination, to which the Deputy refers in the question. It is a special examination for those who have been trained in Britain and Northern Ireland.
Will the Minister be making an announcement in respect of the change which is now implied in his reply so that others in the same position as the person referred to in this question may be aware of the proposal to have these teachers accepted in 1976? Will an official announcement on these lines be made?
A broadening of the subject matter would not be in order. I have already indicated that.
I submit it is a matter of great importance because all Deputies know how concerned such teachers are. We have had letters from a number of people who were trained in Britain and Northern Ireland.
I want to facilitate Deputies.
I think the Minister was going to expand a little.
Very good then. I merely wish to indicate that this is the procedure at Question Time. If the Minister wants to elaborate he may do so.
Mr. R. Burke
In reply to Deputies, of course, it would be desirable and I shall do so. I shall draw the attention of the public to the resumption of an examination of this nature when the decision to do so has been taken.
Would I be safe in advising the person referred to in this question that he would be better off not to apply for a permanent position in Britain, that it would be better for him to wait until 1976 and if he examines the papers there will be an announcement of the reintroduction of the facilities available to these teachers who trained outside the country?
Mr. R. Burke
I will undertake to get in touch with the Deputy in respect of this matter and he can advise his constituent in view of that.
I also communicated with the Minister about such a teacher from the Six Counties. Would he also write to me please?
Mr. R. Burke
Yes.
Would the Minister stop hesitating about this and say that he will reintroduce the scheme or that he will not?
Mr. R. Burke
The Deputy should not push an open door. I shall undertake to get in touch with Deputy Wilson in regard to the specific representations made by him.