Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
505. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to a relaxation of the criteria to take up employment as a substitute teacher for those with a relevant undergraduate qualification, for example, in a language and teaching experience through TEFL or similar. [21364/20]
View answerThe recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012).
In accordance with Department Circular 31/ 2011, and Circular 44/2019 schools are required to employ appropriately qualified and registered teachers and ensure that unemployed teachers should be offered employment in preference to those who have retired. Circular 31/2011 and Circular 44/2019 details a cascade of measures for the recruitment of teachers, prioritising registered teachers over retired registered teachers and unregistered people. These measures were taken in an effort to increase employment opportunities for unemployed teachers.
It is a function of the Teaching Council under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 to act as the competent authority for recognition of qualifications obtained by a person who has applied under this Act for registration as a teacher.
