Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 June 2010
365 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24649/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the recognition of teacher qualifications is now a matter for the Teaching Council, the body with responsibility for establishing and maintaining standards in the teaching profession. My officials have made enquiries with the Teaching Council regarding this case and are advised as follows:
The Teaching Council has verified from the records of its predecessor, the Registration Council, that the person who is the subject of this question was admitted to the Register of Intermediate School Teachers. The person was registered by the Registration Council on November 26, 1992. To date, The Teaching Council has no evidence that the person's qualifications were recognised by the Registration Council or the Department of Education and Skills for the purpose of teaching Mathematics.
The details of the person concerned were transferred onto the register in March 2006. However, she did not avail of the provisions of registration under section 31(2) and (3), (a person who was already a teacher) of the Teaching Council Act, 2001. She applied for registration on November 26, 2008 and was registered under section 31(5) on December 15, 2008. Her B.Sc. degree was deemed to have met the requirements for the curricular subjects of Chemistry and Biology.
In late May 2010, the applicant queried why Mathematics was not presented on her confirmation of registration. She was invited to present the transcripts of her qualifications. On May 26th 2010, the applicant submitted transcripts and at this stage it was confirmed that her qualifications did not meet the criteria for Mathematics.
The Council has re-examined her transcripts in recent weeks and maintains its view that the coverage of Mathematics in her undergraduate qualification does not meet the registration criteria for Mathematics. It has recently submitted the transcripts to an external assessor for a further assessment and a response is awaited. The Council will consider the matter further when a response has been received from the external assessor.
