Vol. 490 No. 5
312 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in issuing a Department circular exempting teachers in special schools from the requirement of a qualification in Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10660/98]
A circular relating to the employment of teachers in special schools and in special classes of mainstream national schools is currently being finalised in my Department. This circular sets out the terms for the recognition of qualified primary teachers trained outside the State for the purposes of teaching in special schools and special classes where Irish is not taught, without the necessity to have an Irish language qualification. A number of issues related to these provisions necessitated consultations with the partners in education before a circular could be finalised. These consultations have now concluded and the circular will be issued to school authorities in the very near future.
