Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 April 2014
88. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that all those teaching history at second level are fully qualified to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18302/14]
View answerTeacher allocations to second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. Within schools, the deployment of teachers is a matter for school management. Management authorities of individual schools and Education and Training Boards (ETBs) are responsible for the appointment and deployment of teachers so as to maximise the effective teaching of the curriculum offered by the school. Schools are also responsible for deciding what subjects and programmes to offer and this can vary in accordance with local need. This, in turn, determines the type of teacher competencies/specialisms required at that time.
Data supplied to my Department by the Teaching Council show that there are over 6,600 teachers registered on the basis of qualifications in history. It should be noted that this number would include teachers who are not currently teaching history, such as those who are retired, on career breaks, travelling, unemployed, deployed to teach other subjects and so on.
