Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 April 2005
241 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the opportunities or positions within the public service from which children who receive exemptions from studying Irish in either primary or second level schools will be excluded due to either intellectual impairment or nationality. [13891/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn so far as teaching posts are concerned, the position in regard to qualifications in Irish is different for primary and secondary level teachers. 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 my Department that they are competent to teach the Irish language and to teach the full range of primary school curricular subjects through the medium of Irish before being granted full recognition to teach in mainstream classes in national schools.
Teachers trained outside the jurisdiction of the State, whose qualifications have been assessed and accepted by my Department but who do not possess an appropriate Irish language qualification, are granted a five year period of provisional recognition to teach in mainstream classes in primary schools. During this period, these teachers are expected to obtain their Irish language qualification in order to become fully recognised. This qualification is achieved by undergoing and passing the Irish qualifications examinations entitled "An Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge", SCG, both written and oral. Until such time as a teacher passes the SCG, they are not considered fully qualified as a teacher in a mainstream national school.
The Department also grants restricted recognition to teachers who have a recognised primary teaching qualification from another jurisdiction and certain Montessori trained teachers. Restricted recognition gives eligibility to teach in certain categories of special schools and in certain categories of classes in mainstream schools where Irish is not a curricular requirement. Teachers who hold restricted recognition are not required to take the SCG.
At post-primary level, an aspirant teacher must in general hold an approved primary degree, NQAI level 8, of a recognised third level college. To be approved, the course leading to this award must be in a subject relevant to at least one curricular subject from the post-primary curriculum and this subject must have been taken to final examination level. These provisions apply to those teaching Irish. In addition, the aspirant must have successfully completed an approved training in teaching course aimed at the age range 12 to 18 years, that is, the higher diploma in education or an equivalent qualification. Adequate competence in Irish is also required in respect of teachers required to teach through Irish.
Queries in regard to the requirements for other public sector jobs should be addressed to the specific organisation or responsible Minister. My Department has issued guidelines in regard to the granting of exemptions from the study of Irish to primary and post-primary schools. Such exemptions are not granted in the context of employment requirements. The guidelines in regard to an exemption from Irish at primary level are outlined in circular M10/94. The guidelines for post-primary level are outlined at rule 46 of the "Rules and Programmes for Secondary Schools" and in circular letter M10/94. Under the terms of this circular, my Department has delegated authority to the principals of primary and second level schools to grant the exemptions provided that the pupil meets the criteria as set down.
Exemptions may be granted by school authorities for pupils whose primary education up to 11 years of age was received in Northern Ireland or outside Ireland; pupils who were previously enrolled as recognised pupils in a primary or second level school who are being re-enrolled after a period spent abroad, provided that at least three years have elapsed since the previous enrolment in the State and the pupil is at least 11 years of age on re-enrolment; certain categories of pupils with special educational needs as set out in circular M10/94; and pupils from abroad who have no understanding of English and who, when enrolled, would be required to study one language only, Irish or English.
