Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - Teaching Qualifications.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

1241 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in the context of Cáolíocht, he will consider an exemption from the requirement to spend three weeks on designated study in the Gaeltacht in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford whose primary degree is in Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1885/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

At primary level, teachers are class teachers rather than subject specialists and must be qualified to teach the range of primary school subjects to children aged four to 12 years. Accordingly, applicants must satisfy the Department of Education and Science that they are competent to teach the Irish language and to teach the range of primary school curricular subjects through the medium of Irish before being granted full recognition to teach in mainstream classes in national schools.

In order to satisfy the Irish language requirement, applicants must obtain a pass in all four modules of the Scrúdú le haghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge and provide certification that they have resided in the Gaeltacht while attending an approved three-week course or its aggregated equivalent.

The purpose of the SCG is to provide an opportunity for teachers trained outside the State to acquire the qualification in Irish that is necessary for recognition as a teacher in mainstream classes in national schools. The SCG is held twice annually and consists of four modules; paper I, paper 2, an aural examination and an oral examination. Candidates who have Irish to primary degree level may be granted an exemption from paper 2 of the SCG. The person referred to by the Deputy has in fact been granted an exemption from paper 2 on foot of her degree in Irish.

In relation to the requirement that the person in question must attend a three-week approved Gaeltacht course, a waiver of this requirement may be considered if she can provide certified evidence to my Department, Primary Administration Section 1, Department of Education and Science, Athlone, County Westmeath, that she has already fulfilled this requirement by virtue of attending a similar course for an equivalent three-week period as part of her degree studies in Irish.