Vol. 504 No. 7
369 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, if any, he is considering in relation to mature students gaining entry to teacher training colleges whereby a C in honours Irish leaving certificate must be obtained before a mature student can obtain an interview for a place in such a college while having a sufficiently good knowledge of the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12897/99]
As part of the minimum academic requirements specified by my Department for entry to primary teacher training, all candidates, including school leavers, mature students and university graduates, must have a minimum of a grade C in higher level in Irish at the leaving certificate or an approved equivalent. This requirement embodies both the written and oral element of a student's proficiency in Irish. My Department considers it to be the minimum standard in Irish necessary for students entering a teacher training course which will equip them to teach Irish to pupils at all levels of the primary school.
While I have no plans to amend this requirement, requirements in this area are kept under review by my Department in consultation with the authorities of the colleges of education, and are also being considered by the working group established by me to review the full-time pre-service teacher training courses.
