I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 149 together.
The composition of the Teaching Council, and selection and appointment of its members are provided for in the Teaching Council Act 2001. Section 8 of the Act provides for members of the Council to be appointed by the Minister and to include:
[Section 8(2)(c)]
2 persons nominated jointly by the following bodies:
(i) St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin;
(ii) Church of Ireland College of Education, Rathmines, Dublin;
(iii) St. Mary's, Marino, Dublin;
(iv) Froebel College of Education, Sion Hill, Blackrock, County Dublin;
(v) Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick, And
[Section 8(2)(d)(xi)]
2 persons nominated jointly by the following bodies:
(i) National College of Art and Design;
(ii) National University of Ireland, Cork;
(iii) National University of Ireland, Dublin;
(iv) National University of Ireland, Galway;
(v) National University of Ireland, Maynooth;
(vi) Dublin University;
(vii) University of Limerick;
(viii) Dublin City University;
(ix) St. Catherine's College of Education for Home Economics, Sion Hill, Blackrock, County Dublin;
(x) St. Angela's College of Education, Sligo;
(xi) such other bodies, providing university or other higher education and training (within the meaning of the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999), as the Council shall determine,
The Act provided for the representation on the Teaching Council of institutions offering teacher training in the State at that time.
Following consultation with the Council, institutions may be added to, or deleted from these provisions.
Other institutions may, if they so wish, seek representation by inclusion under the provision in Section 8(2)(d)(xi) of the Act.
Regarding Selection Procedure(s), prior to the end of the term of office of a Council, the Director puts processes in place for the election or nomination of new members. The bodies at 8(2)(c) and 8(2)(d)(xi), are invited to submit the names of their agreed selection. It is a matter for the colleges to devise the selection process and the Council does not advise on the mechanism whereby this selection is to be undertaken.
It is Teaching Council policy to communicate and consult widely with stakeholders, including teacher educators. In practice this may mean that the Council might, for example, invite stakeholders to meetings, issue and seek feedback on draft policy documents on matters of relevance to their work and so on.