Finian McGrath
Question:221. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will support this matter in respect of a person (details supplied). [1070/14]
View answerWednesday, 15 January 2014
Questions (221)
Written answers
The Teaching Council Act 2001, as enacted by the Oireachtas, provides for the regulation of the teaching profession. The Teaching Council was established on 28th March 2006, under the terms of the 2001 Act. 22 of the 37 members of the Council are teachers.
A primary function of the Council is to maintain the register of teachers and to determine the requirements for entry onto the Register.
Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act provides that only registered teachers should be paid from Oireachtas-voted funds.
I signed the commencement order on 1 November 2013 for section 30 of the Teaching Council Act 2001 to become operational from 28 January. From that date, regulations will govern the limited conditions under which an unregistered person may be employed where a registered teacher is not available.
Decisions to renew registration as a teacher are a matter for the Council. Accordingly it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in individual cases.
Circular 52/2013 issued by my Department provides details of the procedures to be followed by school managerial authorities and Education and Training Boards on commencement of section 30 of the Teaching Council Act.
In relation to the case of staff in the Further Education sector, who, through a lack of qualifications, will be unable to gain registration before 28 January 2014, there are a number of options available to them.
Some posts have been identified that can be reclassified as tutor posts and there will also be the option of employing someone as an industry or sectoral expert to deliver programme content. These are outlined in Circular letter 52/2013.
In addition where staff cannot be reclassified they will have the option of availing of one of the following:(a) Teaching Council Non Registration (TCNR) leave, subject to a maximum duration of 6 years, or (b) Voluntary redundancy in accordance with the terms of the Collective Agreement Redundancy Payments to Public Servants (June 2012), or(c) Redeployment to non-teacher posts for such persons who are comprehended by the Haddington Road Agreement.