Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Teaching Qualifications.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

621 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of non-EU nationals who are employed as qualified teachers in primary schools; if incremental credit is given to such teachers for previous teaching service abroad; the number of these teachers which fulf illed the Irish language requirement; if not, the requirement for such qualifications; if further incremental credits will be given to these teachers prior to fulfilling the Irish language criteria; if additional resources are available to schools where such persons are employed to enable additional persons to be employed to fulfil the curriculum requirements regarding Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16332/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey):

The position in relation to teachers who obtained their primary teaching qualifications outside the EU is that prior to 1 September 2000 such teachers were not eligible for provisional recognition. Prior to that date such teachers had to gain full recognition i.e. fulfil the Irish language requirement, before becoming eligible to teach in mainstream classes in primary schools. However, with effect from 1 September 2000 teachers trained outside the EU, whose qualifications are assessed and accepted by my Department are granted a five year period of provisional recognition. During this period of provisional recognition these teachers are required to work towards meeting my Department's Irish language requirements.

There are 188 teachers who obtained their teacher training outside the European Union (EU) recognised to hold teaching posts in primary schools. Of these, 109 have fulfilled the Irish requirement to teach in primary schools. Statistics are not available to my Department on the number of non-EU trained teachers currently employed in national schools.

Teachers trained outside the EU on being granted either full recognition prior to 1 September 2000 or provisional recognition thereafter are allowed incremental credit in respect of approved teaching service outside the EU up to a maximum of seven years or a maximum of four years for service given prior to 1 June 1979. The combined maximum cannot exceed seven years.

Schools who employ teachers with provisional recognition have a responsibility to ensure that appropriate arrangements are made for the teaching of the Irish curriculum to classes to which provisionally recognised teachers are allocated. Schools have been instructed that under no circumstances must such classes be deprived of competent Irish language tuition and are required to show what arrangements are in place to my Department's inspectors when they visit the schools.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

622 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of persons employed in primary schools and second level schools, as classroom assistants for individual students; the rate of pay for those persons; and the average hours worked weekly. [16333/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey):

At the end of the 2001-02 school year, a total of 2,821 full-time and 615 part-time special needs assistants were employed in the primary sector. A further 346 whole-time equivalent special needs assistants were employed in the second level system.

The level of special needs assistant support allocated to a particular school is based on the professionally assessed needs of the child or children attending the school at any given time. Such allocations are adjusted on an ongoing basis in response to evolving needs. The majority of full-time special needs assistant posts are allocated to groups of children with special needs, including those attending special schools and special classes attached to ordinary schools. The precise number of posts dedicated to individual children with special needs is not readily available.

The number of hours which a special needs assistant is contracted to work varies between full-time and part-time posts. Part-time special needs assistants are contracted to deliver a specified number of hours per week in the schools to which they are attached. Full-time special needs assistants are contracted to work classroom hours and in addition to attend before and after core school hours in order to help with the preparation of classroom materials and the arrival and departure of the children. The specific duties are determined by the school authorities.

The salary scale for special needs assistants with effect from 1 October, 2002 is as follows:

€18,012, €18,856, €19,698, €20,546, €21,390, €22,235, €23,082, €23,921, €24,770, €25,610, €26,459, € 28,052.

Long service increment w.e.f 1/4/2000 payable after 3 years on max. €29,189.

Part-time hourly rate with effect from the 1st October 2002 is €8.42.