asked the Minister for Education, in the case of an applicant who holds a BD degree, the acceptable qualification in another secular subject of the school programme sought and accepted by him for appointment as permanent whole time teacher of religion under a vocational education committee, as C/L No. 7/79, Paragraph 5 i 3, does not specify the level in this case; the second secular subjects of the school programme which are available in the BD degree course, and to what level, and at which universities; the number of cases of permanent whole time appointments as a teacher of religion under a VEC in which the first arts qualification, or a first year qualification from other university faculties, has been accepted as the acceptable qualification in the second subject; the number of cases in which religion teachers were made permanent on the basis of the BD degree, and how the second subject requirement was satisfied in each case; and the particulars of the equivalent qualifications referred to in the Department of Education circular letter No. 7/79, Paragraph 5 i d.
Written Answers. - Appointment of Religious Teacher.
In the case of a teacher of religion who is appointed in a permanent whole time capacity under a vocational education committee and who holds a BD degree the necessary qualification in another subject of the school curriculum must be studied to a level which would normally be required of a teacher of that subject.
My Department is not aware of any BD degree courses which in themselves would satisfy the conditions laid down in circular letter No. 7/79 for permanent whole time appointment as teachers of religious education under a scheme of vocational education.
Equivalent qualifications are those which following assessment on their individual merits are adjudged to be equivalent to those listed in circular letter 7/79. In relation to other matters raised in the question, I would refer the Deputy to my reply of 13 May.