Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Dec 2000

Vol. 527 No. 4

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

195 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the conditions which must be complied with to ensure eligibility for a permanent teaching post within second level schools; the origin and basis for these conditions; and his views on the extent to which these conditions are contributing to staff shortages. [28983/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Applicants for permanent teaching posts at second level are required to hold a suitable recognised primary degree or equivalent and, except in the case of appointments in schools under vocational education committees, an acceptable training-in-teaching qualification.

Since the beginning of the 1999-2000 school year there is no longer an Irish requirement for appointment as a second level teacher in the case of the generality of teachers who are not required to use Irish in their ordinary daily duties. However, teachers employed in Gaeltacht schools or in schools where Irish is the ordinary medium of instruction and teachers who teach any subject, other than Irish, through the medium of Irish must satisfy the specified Irish requirement – Teastas Gaeilge do Mhúinteoi Iarbhunscoile.

My Department is not aware of any teaching posts at second level remaining unfilled.