Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015
1253. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding registration with the Irish Teaching Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31222/15]
View answer1282. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of difficulties being encountered by teachers who qualified abroad in being registered with the Teaching Council; if she will ensure that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17 can be registered with the Teaching Council; and the reason for the delay with the Teaching Council in progressing this registration in view on information supplied. [31436/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1253 and 1282 together.
As the Deputies will be aware, since 2006, under the Teaching Council Act 2001, the Teaching Council is the regulator and standards body for the teaching profession.
The Council is obliged under the terms of EU Directive 2005/36/EC to grant registration to teachers who have completed 'regulated education and training' and are deemed fully qualified as a teacher under the terms of the Directive in another EU/EEA Member State. The Council published requirements in this area in a notice of compliance with the Directive in May 2010.
The processing time for an application for registration varies on the type of application and whether an assessment of qualifications is required (to determine if the qualification(s) meet the Council's registration criteria). Applicants including newly qualified teachers (NQTs) who have provided full documentation and have completed the Garda Vetting process at the time of application are typically registered within one/two weeks of the date of application. However in cases where requested documentation remains outstanding, where qualification(s) assessment is required, where the outcome of the Garda Vetting process is not returned in a timely manner, or where the Evidence of Character Panel is required to consider the outcome of the Garda Vetting process, the registration process may be considerably longer.
The Council processes applications from teachers who have completed their initial teacher education qualifications in other EU Member States under the terms of Council Directive 2005/36/EC. The processing timeframes for such applications are set out under Article 51 of said Directive and the Council endeavours to remain compliant with the stated timeframes.
I understand that the teacher to whom the Deputies refer is conditionally registered with the Teaching Council with effect from 8 September 2015.
