Vol. 401 No. 6
41 Mr. Pattison asked the Minister for Education the procedure she proposes to put in place in order to facilitate those primary teachers who wish to transfer and exchange from one European country to another; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The transfer of teachers at primary level within the member states of the European Economic Community will be facilitated by the implementation of Directive 89/48 EEC on the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications. This Directive is to be implemented in all member states by 4 January 1991.
I intend to implement the Directive in Ireland by means of a Statutory Instrument under the European Communities Act, 1972. I shall be designating primary teachers as one of the regulated professions for the purposes of the Directive. Qualified Irish primary teachers with three or more years of training will be able to avail of the provisions of the Directive in seeking employment in other member states.
