Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
539. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education if the Teaching Council has the right to refuse recognition to a qualified teacher who has been registered with the council since 2009 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42171/21]
View answerI note that the details in this particular case have not been provided, however the following is the position in relation to registration with the Teaching Council.
Under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with the statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.
The Teaching Council registers teachers in line with the requirements set out in the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016.
Where a teacher does not meet the requirements for full registration the Council may register a teacher subject to conditions under Section 31(6)b of the Acts and specify the period of time in which the conditions shall be complied with. Teachers registered with conditions are generally given 3 years in which to satisfy the conditions. If a teacher fails to satisfy the condition within that period of time, they may request an extension of time. Section 32(1)b of the Acts states that it is at the discretion of the Council to grant an extension to that period of time.
In order to ensure that all teachers are aware of the expiry date of their conditions, the Council issues a number of notices by email/SMS/letter to the teacher. In total an average of seven communications are issued starting 4 months in advance of the expiration date. This is to allow the teacher time to provide the necessary evidence or extension request with the required supporting documentation.
The Council processes all extension requests in the context of the Procedures – Extension Request Assessments as published on the website. The Registration Panel on behalf of the Council consider the extension requests and supporting documentation on a case by case basis. Where the extension of time is refused the teacher is offered the opportunity to have the decision reviewed by the Registration Review Group and should submit a request for a review within 21 days of receiving the original decision.
If a teacher has not met the conditions of registration and fails to submit an extension request to the Council, they lapse from the Register of Teachers in line with Section 32(2) of the Acts. The criteria is applied equally to all registrants and as such it is important to ensure all applicants are subject to the same procedures.
The person referred to by the Deputy should continue to liaise directly with the Teaching Council and follow their guidance in order to meet the criteria to obtain full registration.
