Michael Finucane
Question:29 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on an all-Ireland approach to recognition of Irish language teaching skills. [12827/99]
Other Questions. - Teaching Qualifications.
In the context of the Good Friday Agreement and its associated treaties and implementation bodies, it is important that as many obstacles as possible to the mobility of workers between the two parts of the island are removed. Reciprocal arrangements for the mutual recognition of the qualifications of teachers in both jurisdictions would constitute an important positive step in this direction. Discussions have been taking place between officers of my Department and representatives of the various education interests in Northern Ireland with a view to bringing this about.
At primary level, with a view to agreeing on an all-Ireland approach to the recognition of qualifications in Irish for teachers, discussions have taken place between officers of my Department and the authorities of St. Mary's College of Education, Belfast. Arising from these discussions it has been agreed that graduates of St. Mary's who have Irish as a main subject in their B.Ed. degree will be recognised as being fully qualified to teach in national schools in the Republic without having to sit the scrúdú cáilíochta. It has also been agreed in principle that St. Mary's College would organise a course in professional Irish for those of its students who wish to qualify to teach in the Republic but do not have Irish as a main degree subject. This will be similar to the course in professional Irish taught in the Republic's colleges and will be designed in consultation with Mary Immaculate College of Education, Limerick. Students who successfully complete this course would also be fully recognised to teach in national schools in the Republic. St. Mary's College has also undertaken to examine the feasibility of organising a course designed to prepare teachers not otherwise qualified in Irish to sit the scrúdú cáilíochta. Under the terms of circular 19/96, teachers without qualifications in Irish from Northern Ireland and other parts of the EU may take up posts in national schools in a provisional capacity for up to two years, later extended by me to three years, during which time they must obtain a pass in the scrúdú cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge.
At second level, teachers who are recognised as being fully qualified in Northern Ireland or elsewhere in the European Union may be granted provisional recognition in the State. This applies to teachers of all subjects taught in our second level schools, including Irish. To qualify for full recognition, such teachers must make up any substantial shortfalls identified in their qualifications by means of either passing an aptitude test or completing an adaptation period not exceeding three years and must satisfy the Irish language requirement. A second level teacher who does not satisfy the Irish language requirement at the time of appointment may be appointed provisionally to a teaching position, subject to obtaining the appropriate qualification within a period of three years.
Does the Minister accept this is a time for bold steps rather than the painstaking and tortuous negotiations which are being undertaken by his Department? Why do teachers trained in Northern Ireland and teaching in secondary schools in this State need to obtain these special qualifications in Irish if they are not teaching in Irish? What is the point?
As the Deputy is aware, last year I took the bold step in terms of abolishing the written céard teastas examination. I agree with the Deputy that it imposed an undue pressure, not only on teachers who qualified in Northern Ireland but also on teachers from the Republic, many of whom had to spend weekends away and considerable sums of money endeavouring to perfect knowledge of the examination paper, to learn things off by heart and then sit the examination. The oral Irish examination remains and I am considering that issue.
The peace process has been ongoing for many months and the time has long passed when we should drag our feet on these issues and have them bogged down. The Minister is a great man for making announcements. I ask him to consider announcing some changes in this area tomorrow when he has a gap in his diary. I know changes would be broadly welcomed as I have had meetings with unions that represent some of the teachers concerned. The unions feel aggrieved at the slow progress.
I will certainly bear the Deputy's comments in mind, particularly in relation to the timing of announcements in this regard. We have made some progress in relation to the primary sector in terms of our dealings with St. Mary's College. I visited St. Mary's College last year. I was the first Minister from the Republic to do so, something which surprised me. We have had very good co-operation from the college in terms of having Irish as a core part of the college's B.Ed. and facilitating students in not having to sit the scrúdú cáilíochta if they sit the Irish exam in the college.
(Carlow-Kilkenny): Does the Minister accept that the difficulty in terms of primary schools is very different from that experienced at second level, as Irish is supposed to be a core part of the primary school curriculum, and that while we have not succeeded in having Irish spoken fluently across the country, there is a difference in what is required?
Absolutely. The position regarding Irish is retained as it forms 20 per cent of the revised primary school curriculum. Therefore, proficiency in Irish for national school teachers is essential and cannot be fudged in terms of national objectives. However, Deputy Bruton was speaking about post-primary teachers in community and comprehensive schools who could be teaching woodwork or metal work and who may not have any proficiency in Irish but who still must pass a test in Irish to gain a post. I think Deputies across the House agree that we use common sense and have a reasonable response to such issues.