Vol. 552 No. 1
819 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science his proposals to allow holders of either a Bachelor of Commerce and Higher Diploma or a Bachelor of Science and Higher Diploma to be appointed as full-time permanent resource teachers in national schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11974/02]
To be fully recognised to teach at primary level and therefore be entitled to take up permanent posts, teachers must have undertaken a recognised primary teaching training course and possess a recognised primary teaching qualification. Such a qualification usually can be achieved by a person graduating from one of the recognised teacher training courses in the colleges of education, including the post-graduate conversion courses, or by a primary teacher trained abroad achieving the necessary level of competence in the Irish language.
Recognised third level qualifications, together with the Higher Diploma in Education, would normally allow the holders to be appointed to full time positions in second level schools. However, these qualifications are not accepted for the purpose of recognition to teach in a permanent capacity in primary schools.
However, as part of a range of measures taken by my Department to address the shortage of qualified teachers at primary level, secondary trained teachers, that is persons holding a recognised primary degree together with a Higher Diploma in Education, which would normally entitle an individual to teach at post-primary level, are remunerated at the trained rate of pay when they take up substitute or temporary positions in primary schools. Previous service given by such teachers in second level schools will be reckoned for incremental purposes. In implementing this measure however there is no intention that qualified second level teachers would be afforded full recognition as primary school teachers. In order to become so qualified, such teachers would have to undertake a post-graduate conversion course in one of the colleges of education.
820 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application for a resource teacher (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11985/02]
The school referred to by the Deputy currently shares a resource teacher post with three other schools in the area.
My Department is currently reviewing resource teacher provision for the four schools including an application for additional resource teacher support for the school in question and further contact will be made with the school management as soon as this process has been completed.
