Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 May 2014
204. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 192 and 195 of 6 May 2014, the way the Teaching Council defines the minimum course content required to enable primary school teachers effectively to teach children who have received a diagnosis of autism in autism-specific classes. [22250/14]
View answer205. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 192 and 195 of 6 May 2014, if he will provide the list of evidence-based research to which he makes reference regarding his Department’s decisions on a range of matters including pedagogy, school curriculum, special educational needs and child development. [22251/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together.
Since 2006 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory responsibility and authority for the teaching profession including accreditation of teaching qualifications and the registration of teachers. Providers of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) are responsible for content and development of their programmes. Providers must have regard to the Criteria and Guidelines published by the Teaching Council. All ITE Programmes are reviewed by the Council in accordance with the Criteria, so that graduates may teach in all primary schools.
As the Deputy is aware, the development of policy on the programmes, interventions and supports for children in education is a continuous and dynamic process. In making policy decisions my Department takes account of advice, research and information from a range of sources including from bodies under its aegis. In general, policy on curriculum and other matters is published by the Department along with relevant references to research and other inputs to policy making. Relevant publications are available on the websites of the Department and relevant aegis bodies. Various Department announcements and replies to PQs may also help. A definitive list along the lines requested is not available.
