Vol. 513 No. 1
729 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science his response to proposals (details supplied) regarding the employment of teachers in the integrated services project at St. Michael's CBS, Inchicore, Dublin 8. [1288/00]
As the Deputy may be aware, provisional recognition has been granted to teachers trained outside the State to teach in primary schools for a period of two years to enable them acquire the Irish language qualification by passing the special examination Scrúdú Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge. Such teachers were paid at a reduced rate of salary for the period of provisional recognition.
I am happy to inform the Deputy that, with effect from September 1999, teachers holding provisional recognition to work in primary schools will be paid on the common basic scale from the outset. Furthermore, I have arranged that such teachers will be facilitated in their preparations for the SCG examination by the provision of regional courses through the education centre network. I have also decided that the costs to teachers of attending residential courses in the Gaeltacht as part of the SCG preparations will in future be met by my Department when the teacher passes the examination.
I have recently announced further improvements to facilitate teachers in preparing for and taking the SCG. Firstly, I have extended the period of provisional recognition from two to three years. In addition, teachers will now be able to sit different parts of the examination at different times, and those who pass individual modules of the examination will be exempt from these modules for a period of five years. Furthermore, candidates will be able to view their worked examination scripts in my Department's offices in Athlone, while all oral examinations are now being recorded on audio-tape. Finally, the examination is now held twice a year so that candidates will have at least six opportunities to sit the examination during the three year period of provisional recognition.
730 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will examine the staff salaries in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 to see the provisions, if any, which can be made to compensate those being paid at a lower rate for the same job; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1289/00]
The teachers referred to by the Deputy were trained in Northern Ireland and have been granted provisional recognition to teach in primary schools for a period of three years. Such teachers can gain full recognition by acquiring the necessary Irish language qualification. This is achieved by passing the special examination Scrúdú Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge.
Such teachers up to now have been paid at a reduced rate of salary for the period of provisional recognition. I am happy to inform the Deputy that, with effect from September 1999, teachers holding provisional recognition to work in primary schools will be paid on the common basic scale from the outset.
