The person referred to by the Deputy holds a Montessori qualification. Teachers with the Montessori qualification which is awarded on completion of the three year full time course in the Association Montessori Internationale – AMI – College, Mount St. Mary's, Milltown, Dublin 14, and teachers trained in St. Nicholas, Dun Laoghaire, Montessori, who have successfully completed the full-time course of at least three years duration which is recognised by the National Council for Educational Awards may be granted recognition to teach in special schools and classes. If a person holding these qualifications is appointed to teach in a special school or special class she or he would receive full salary entitlements on being appointed to such a post. She or he would also be regarded as qualified for resource teaching posts for pupils with special needs.
Teachers holding Montessori qualifications who serve as substitutes are paid at the trained rate, but are paid at the untrained rate when employed in a temporary capacity in mainstream schools. I should point out that substitute teachers are generally employed on a short-term basis to replace teachers absent on certified sick leave and maternity leave. Temporary teachers, on the other hand, are generally employed for a full school year to replace teachers on long-term unpaid leave of absence.