asked the Minister for Education whether, in view of the fact that Circular No. 23/43, issued by his Department to vocational education committees adds a full year to the period hitherto required to qualify as a teacher for vocational schools, his Department consulted the universities or gave notice of any kind of so important an alteration in the qualifications of vocational teachers.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Vocational Teachers' Qualifications.
As the wording of this question might, unintentionally, suggest that the circular mentioned, and the consequence attributed to it, apply to all vocational teachers, I wish to make it clear that this circular applies only to teachers of Irish and does not affect university graduates who become teachers of other subjects such as commerce, science, etc., in vocational schools. It is right to point out also that prior to the issue of the circular mentioned a university degree was not accepted as a full qualification for the position of teacher of Irish in vocational schools.
The reasons which led to the decision to require the Teastas Timthire Gaedhilge as the qualification for teachers of Irish in these schools were explained in my reply to a question asked here by the Deputy on the 3rd instant. It had not been the practice to consult the universities regarding the position of Irish teachers in vocational schools, as these positions had originally been filled mainly by persons whose qualification was the Teastas Mhuinteora Gaedhilge, or a Teastas from one of the Irish colleges, and the introduction of the recent change did not involve any new departure in this respect.
It was not possible to give longer notice of the recent decision, as it was a matter of urgency to ensure that only the best qualified persons were appointed to such vacancies as might occur for Irish teachers on the staffs of vocational educational committees. Regarding the complaint that the decision adds a year to the period required by a university graduate to qualify for the position of Irish teacher, I wish to mention that the position of university graduates in relation to the Teastas Timthire Gaedhilge is at present under discussion between a representative of the National University and my Department, and while I cannot at present make any promise regarding the result of this discussion, I hope that a satisfactory arrangement may be reached.
Táim buidheach díot.