My Department currently operates a scheme of provisional recognition whereby individuals who are recognised as fully qualified primary teachers in the United Kingdom and other EU member states may be appointed to a post in a primary school for a period of two years in advance of acquiring the Irish language qualification. On attainment of the Irish language qualification, such teachers are then recognised as fully qualified primary teachers in this State.
Also, my Department has recently issued Circular 19/98, which 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.
In addition my Department is currently involved in discussions with St. Mary's College in Belfast regarding the provision of a one year intensive course in Gaeilge for Northern Ireland trained primary teachers. Students who successfully complete this course will be recognised as fully trained primary teachers in this jurisdiction.
In order to be eligible for appointment as a secondary teacher, an applicant must satisfy the qualification requirements laid down by the Registration Council. This applies to all applicants irrespecive of where the qualifications were achieved.
