Vol. 551 No. 2
476 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a post-primary qualified teacher cannot take up a permanent post as a primary special needs teacher; if he will review this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9720/02]
My Department will grant restricted recognition to teachers with a recognised post-primary qualification to enable them to take up permanent positions in special schools where a proportion of the pupils attending the special school are of post-primary age, that is, 12 years or older, and where second level programmes are being provided by the school.
477 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a special needs teacher in a post-primary school is not eligible for a full time post due to the fact that the applicant does not have a BA degree in a leaving certificate subject but has a BA in psychology which is specifically relevant to the job; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9721/02]
In order to be appointed as a resource/ special needs teacher in a secondary school, an applicant for the post must, in the first instance, hold a third level qualification at degree level, which is recognised for the purpose of teaching at second level, together with a recognised training-in-teaching qualification. In addition, the applicant must hold an approved qualification in special education. In this regard, other suitable specialist qualifications or experience may be accepted where it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of my Department that the qualification or experience gained by the applicant is equivalent to an approved qualification in special education. Courses of study, leading to the award of a degree in psychology, have been assessed by both my Department and the Registration Council and are not deemed acceptable for the purpose of teaching at second level.
478 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the eligibility criteria for special needs teachers to obtain full time permanent posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9722/02]
To be appointed as a resource-special needs teacher in a secondary school, an applicant for the post must, in the first instance, hold a third level qualification at degree level, which is recognised for the purpose of teaching at second level, together with a recognised training-in-teaching qualification. In addition, the applicant must hold an approved qualification in special education. In this regard, other suitable specialist qualifications or experience may be accepted where it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of my Department that the qualification or experience gained by the applicant is equivalent to an approved qualification in special education. At primary level, a teacher may be appointed to a full time permanent post in the area of special needs provided s/he is a fully qualified primary teacher. The criteria for appointment to resource and special needs teaching posts are kept under constant review by my Department.
