Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2024
297. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Education if she can make an exception for the teacher registration deadline (details supplied), considering there is such a need for teachers in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6353/24]
View answerUnder 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 is the professional standards body for the teaching profession, which promotes and regulates professional standards in teaching. The Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015. There are five routes of registration with the Teaching Council which are namely Route 1: Primary, Route 2: Post-primary, Route 3: Further Education, Route 4: Other and Route 5: Student Teacher. The registration requirements for each route is set out in the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016.
The Teaching Council has a statutory remit and a there is a provision in the legislation which allows them to make regulations for the purposes of registration.
Statutory Instrument No. 12 of 2023, the Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment) Regulation, which was in place has now expired and therefore the facility is no longer open. In the context of the Council's legislative remit, this provision was put in place via a Statutory Instrument (SI), and as such, the SI defines the period during which the measure is operated.
A further Statutory Instrument would be required to establish the Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment) Regulation for a longer period, which under the Teaching Council Act is a matter for the Council.
There is no mechanism whereby what is being sought can be facilitated, as the transparent and equal application of published regulations and procedures in the state are important legal principles.
It should be noted that the Department, under statute, has no direct role in individual applications and in all cases applicants should engage to the fullest extent with the Council and follow their guidance in relation to the requirements for the route of registration they are seeking.
Through engagement with the Council on this matter, I can advise that the Council is considering any further amendment to provide for this facility (that is, completion of induction in Ireland for overseas qualified teachers) in the context of its legislative framework, including relevant EU legislation.
