asked the Minister for Education when a primary degree allowance in salary will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who believes that his qualifications merit such an allowance.
253.
Written Answers. - Primary Degree Allowance.
244.
asked the Minister for Education the reason her Department has never replied to letters from a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; the reason he is not receiving a primary degree allowance as he holds a national diploma in fine art from the National Council of Educational Awards and has successfully completed the course "The Principles of Teaching Art" awarded by her Department.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 253 together.
The qualification held by the person in question is not an automatically acceptable qualification for the purpose of registration as a secondary teacher. Each such application is considered on its merits pending a submission to the registration council for general recognition by a validating body for the qualification, which in this case is the National Council for Educational Awards.
Until such time as a qualification has been granted general recognition consideration cannot be given to the payment of an allowance in respect of the qualification.
A letter to this effect is being sent to the person in question in reply to two letters dated 15 April 1987 which are the only letters from him on record in the Department.