P. J. Sheehan
Question:14 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Education if he is prepared to establish a Teaching Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Establishment of Teaching Council.
Eamon Gilmore
Question:30 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education his views on the establishment of a Teaching Council; and the steps, if any, he is taking to have such a council established.
Michael D'Arcy
Question:86 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Education if he is prepared to establish a Teaching Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Frank Crowley
Question:96 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Education if he is prepared to establish a Teaching Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
John V. Farrelly
Question:97 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education if he is prepared to establish a Teaching Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 30, 86, 96 and 97. together.
The question of establishing a Teaching Council, with functions to include all teachers, is being considered at present by a committee representative of all concerned interests. Certain legal issues have been raised by the committee and an opinion has been sought. The work of the committee has been adjourned pending receipt of this opinion.
It is hoped to resolve these outstanding legal issues so that the work of the committee can recommence.
Can the Minister give us some indication of how long he expects it will take to establish a Teaching Council? Does he expect to make firm proposals on the matter in the White Paper and does he expect it to form part of any education legislation which he will bring before the House following publication of the White Paper?
It is my intention that it will be in the White Paper and that it will be the subject of regulation and/or legislation depending on which is appropriate. It is dealt with in the Green Paper. Therefore it is clear that my proposal at this time is to proceed with the establishment of a Teaching Council.
Would the Minister not concede that this is the kind of standalone issue that need not be longfingered until such time as the White Paper and the Education Bill are published in due course? This is an urgent requirement in view of the fact that we have only 81 primary teacher inspectors for 3,400 schools and 65 post primary inspectors for 1,100 schools. Would the Minister not concede that we need a self-regulatory body? The legal and medical professions have their own self regulatory bodies. There is no reason we cannot get teachers, teachers' unions, parents, as well as other interested groups, to set up a self-monitoring regulatory body.
I am pushing this as quickly as possible. In fact, on 15 October officials of my Department and the chairman of the committee had a consultation in the offices of the Attorney General. An early opinion has been requested. One of the issues raised by council at that meeting was the matter of freedom of association guaranteed by the Constitution. As soon as we have the legal issues resolved we will press ahead with it.
Question No. 15, please.