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Teaching Council of Ireland

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021

Wednesday, 21 April 2021

Questions (961)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

961. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education the current restriction on teachers registered with the Teaching Council under route 3 that requires them to apply for continuous extensions to acquire their Teaching Council number annually. [18653/21]

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Written answers

The Teaching Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and in line with the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016. Registration is based on qualifications as set out in the Registration Regulations 2016.

The Council informs me that registration under Route 3 Further Education requires a teacher education qualification (TEQ) suitable for the purposes of teaching in further education and can be completed as part of an accredited undergraduate degree or in addition to an undergraduate degree.

The Council state that on an exceptional basis, registration is granted with conditions under Route 3 to individuals who hold a suitable undergraduate degree but do not hold a relevant teacher education qualification. This conditional registration is granted on the understanding that such registrants attain an accredited TEQ suitable for teaching in Further Education within a three year timeframe. If, due to exceptional circumstances, additional time is needed to fulfil the condition of registration, an application can be made under Section 32 of the Act. Where the Council grants extensions beyond the initial three years, it is generally for a one year period. This is not a restriction, it is a requirement for registration that is met by the vast majority of teachers registered through Route 3.

The Council currently accredits 11 programmes of initial teacher education in Further Education which are listed on the Council’s website. These programmes are delivered by Higher Education Institutions across the country on both full-time and part-time basis.

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