Vol. 433 No. 7
164 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Education the minimum qualifications to be a lecturer or teaching assistant in Carlow Regional Technical College; the number of members of the teaching staff there who do not have these minimum qualifications; and the plans, if any, the Carlow College authorities have to improve academic standards in the administration of the college.
The minimum qualifications for recruitment by open competition to a lecturer's post in Carlow Regional Technical College are the same as those laid down by the Department for all Regional Technical Colleges and the Dublin Institute of Technology.
These are an Honours Degree (first or second class) from a recognised degreeawarding body or a recognised professional equivalent qualification in the subject(s) in question except for engineering, architecture, surveying and construction where an appropriate degree at pass level would be acceptable and not less than three years relevant whole time post-qualification experience and necessary Irish qualification.
It is the function of the college authorities to recruit the most suitably qualified candidates for posts through procedures determined by the Minister for Education.
Following an agreement reached between the Department and the teachers' union a limited number of college teachers were promoted to Lecturer 1 posts.
There are no teaching assistants in Regional Technical Colleges or the Dublin Institute of Technology.
