Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2010
1101 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the reasons 180 newly qualified teachers will not be probated this year; his plans regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1815/10]
View answerThe arrangements for the probation of newly qualified teachers have evolved differently at primary and post-primary level and within different types of school at post-primary level. At primary level, satisfactory completion of the probationary period requires the newly qualified teacher to receive a favourable inspection report on his/her work from the Inspectorate of my Department.
In early December 2009, a small proportion of the newly qualified teachers employed in primary schools (who had commenced employment subsequent to the beginning of the school year) were informed by letter that given the resources available, inspection of their work for probationary purposes would be delayed and would not take place in the school year 2009-2010. The Inspectorate is currently reviewing all such cases and is attempting to make arrangements for the inspection of as many as possible of the small number of teachers in this group. In addition, officials in my Department are reviewing the arrangements for the probation of teachers generally.
