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Regulatory Bodies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

Ceisteanna (241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250)

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

231 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will explain the purpose of the €11 million that has been generated as surplus by the Teaching Council; the amount of interest this accrues on an annual basis; the way the interest is spent; the number of teachers this might this pay per annum; and the reason the Teaching Council accumulates such a large sums of money. [27473/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Teaching Council's annual accounts for 2011 show a surplus of c. €11m. Of this amount, €4m has been set aside by the Council to cater for contingencies. Interest on funds in 2011 amounted to €252,000 (2010 — €146,000). This interest forms part of the overall income of the Council.

The surplus finance will be used to meet the increased costs of the Council as it expands its role. As is often the case when legislation is introduced, it is on a phased basis. Some of the main functions of the Teaching Council have not yet been commenced. For example, in relation to Fitness to Teach; while this function is not yet commenced, there has been a huge amount of preparatory work done in advance so that the Council will be in a position to undertake this work when the relevant legislative provision is made. This function, along with others such as Probation, Induction and Continuous Professional Development will lead to a significant increase in Council expenditure and staffing needs in the future. I hope to be in a position to commence a number of further sections of the Act within the next 12 months.

The Deputy will be aware that I have publically indicated my support for a recent decision by the Teaching Council to reduce the cost of its registration fee from €90 to €65.

The average cost of hiring a teacher is approximately €60,000.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

232 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria that was met in order to qualify for the recently appointed position of Director of the Teaching Council; the salary paid to the Director of the Teaching Council; and the level of consultation there was between his Department and teachers on this appointment. [27474/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The recent recruitment of the Director of the Teaching Council was by way of open competition and was carried out in accordance with good human resources practice.

The post of Director of the Teaching Council was advertised on the Public Appointments Service website and also in the National Press.

The salary scale for Post of Director is: €90,355-€110,844 (or as appropriate to the employee's employment history, modified pay scale (€85,957-€105,429).

A comprehensive set of criteria for the post of Director was set out as outlined below:

A proven track record in a senior management role.

Experience of developing and sustaining critical relationships with other public sector bodies.

An understanding of the role and responsibilities of a regulatory body in a complex environment.

A thorough knowledge of the Irish education system.

An appreciation and understanding of the role and work of the Teaching Council.

A career record that demonstrates a high level of competence in conceptual and analytical thinking, financial management and corporate governance.

The capacity to promote the relevance of the Teaching Council among the teaching profession.

As is the norm in public sector recruitment, consultation took place with my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in advance of the process and in relation to the appointment arrangements.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

233 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide the figures relating to the number of executive directors who sit on the Teaching Council and to list their individual salaries. [27475/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

234 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will list the non-elected members of the Teaching Council who are in receipt of and are members appointed by him receiving a salary from the Teaching Council. [27476/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together.

There are thirty seven members appointed to the Teaching Council. Under the Teaching Council Act 2001 twenty two members are either directly elected teachers or nominated by teacher trade unions. No salary is paid for being a member of the Council. However, members are entitled to and receive expenses in accordance with Public Service Travel and Subsistence Regulations.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

235 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm that there is no facility for teachers to directly contact their elected representative on the Teaching Council. [27477/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The Teaching Council is an independent statutory body established by the Teaching Council Act 2001 and my Department is not involved in the day to day affairs of the Council.

The membership of the Council is as set out in the Act. There are 16 elected teachers on the Council. The Council is subject to the normal corporate governance arrangements applicable to public bodies. Neither the Act nor the corporate governance code confers a representative role on individual members. Members of the Council are expected to bring their expert knowledge and professional understanding to the deliberations of the Council.

Communication and consultation with teachers and the public generally is a matter for the Council. It is of course open to any teacher to write to the Council at any time on matters related to Council work.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

236 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way the permanent staff of the Teaching Council were first selected and chosen for that position; his view on the view that the Teaching Council should be run by teachers as they are best placed to understand the issues directly affecting members of the teaching profession. [27478/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Staff including the original appointees, are recruited by way of open competition, in accordance with norms, procedures and practices which generally apply to appointments to public sector posts.

The composition of the Council provides for teacher representation. Of the 37 member Council, 16 are elected teachers and a further 6 members are nominated by teacher unions. The Council is independent in the discharge of its functions and in its role as regulator of the teaching profession.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

237 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason payment from teachers to the Teaching Council have to be paid in a one-off payment and should an option of paying by instalments be available to financially stressed teachers. [27479/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The Teaching Council is an independent body established under the Teaching Council Act. Section 33 of the Teaching Council Act deals with the renewal of registration. Renewal of registration involves an application and payment of the renewal fee. The Council is responsible for the administrative arrangements in this matter.

I understand that the Council has in the past provided the option for the payment of the membership subscription through regular deductions from salary. Difficulties arose in the operation of this arrangement which potentially could give rise to questions concerning the registration status of individual teachers. In the light of the planned commencement of Section 30, it was decided to cease the arrangement.

It should be noted that the Council has proposed that the renewal fee will be reduced from €90 to €65 per annum from 1 January 2013 onwards. Where hardship cases arise, these are dealt with on a case by case basis. It is also worth noting that teachers can avail of tax relief on this fee.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

238 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way the establishment and the current operation of the Teaching Council benefits teachers, pupils and the citizenry of the Irish State as a whole; if the stated aim of the Teaching Council is to professionalise teaching here; if it is his view that prior to the establishment of the Teaching Council the cohort of teachers was substandard. [27480/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

240 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide evidence of the benefit of the Teaching Council since its inception with particular reference to teachers, standards of teaching and the results of students results since its establishment. [27482/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 240 together.

The Teaching Council is the professional standards body for the teaching profession. The Council seeks to set and uphold high professional standards for teaching and teachers. It does this in the interests of pupils and the public good but equally for the reputation and status of the profession. Quality of teaching has been determined as the single most influential factor towards achieving good educational outcomes for students. The work of the Council is focused towards the maintenance and improvement of the standards of teaching and includes:

Developing and implementing a ‘Continuum of Education' which links the professional education and training needs throughout all phases of a teachers career.

Restructuring and extending the programmes of initial teacher education in order that newly qualified teachers are better equipped for the needs of the modern day classroom.

Reviewing and accrediting teacher education programmes.

Putting in place higher qualification and teacher education standards for teachers in the three sectors — Primary, Post-Primary and Further Education.

Putting in place strict good character and Garda vetting requirements.

Publishing a Code of Professional Conduct for teachers (which is currently being revised).

Putting in place induction procedures for newly qualified teachers and a probation process applicable to all newly registered teachers.

Preparing for Fitness to Teach procedures and processes when the Council's powers in this area are commenced by the Minister.

Developing a Continued Professional Development framework for teachers. The individual teacher benefits from being a member of a fully regulated profession. The work of the Council supports teachers in the following key areas:

Protecting standards of entry to the profession, promoting induction processes and fostering best practice in continuing professional development.

Reviewing and accrediting programmes of teacher education.

Promoting research and engaging in debate and discussion on policy issues related to education.

Dealing with complaints as to alleged professional misconduct made against teachers (when Part 5 of the 2001 Act is commenced).

Advising Government on teaching supply and other professional issues.

Enhancing the teacher's individual status and identity by his or her being part of a recognised, collective professional entity, with statutory authority and recognition.

Enhancing the status of the profession and use every opportunity to promote teaching as a career.

Through all of the above the Teaching Council will help teachers to set and maintain the standards for the profession. It is the policy of my Department that all teachers paid from State funds should be registered by the Teaching Council and suitably qualified. The Education (Amendment) Act 2012 which was recently signed by the President paves the way for the commencement of Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act which is part of the progression towards a fully regulated profession.

I am confident that the work of the Council contributes to the quality of educational outcomes for our students.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

239 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the fact that the Teaching Council does not fall under the terms of either the Freedom of Information legislation or the Committee of Public Accounts, the person who has oversight over the Teaching Council and to whom is it accountable. [27481/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The Teaching Council Act includes provisions governing membership, funding, accountability and the council's relationship with the Department. The legislation provides for the appointment of a 37 member council. The council has responsibility for operationalising the provisions of the Act and the development of the necessary organisational and collaborative strategies and structures for the effective regulation of the teaching profession. It is responsible for the conduct of its affairs and meeting any obligations arising in this regard.

As a public body, the Teaching Council complies with a range of Government policies and requirements applicable to public bodies generally, including policies on employee numbers and remuneration and corporate governance. Under the Act, the council is a self-funding body but is subject to independent audit and required to publish its accounts, together with its annual report, which are lodged in the Houses each year.

A number of other obligations fall on the Teaching Council which enhance its accountability. It is required to implement the Department's policies on teacher education, probation, qualifications, professional conduct and so on. The approval of the Department is required for the drawing up of regulations in areas such as the election of members, the charging of fees and the registration of teachers. The council is required to provide the Minister with information and advice on matters relating to its functions having regard to resource implications and other relevant matters. In certain circumstances, members of the council may be removed.

Aside from the formal provisions, there is ongoing contact and communication between my Department and the Teaching Council at official level. I meet the Council as required and I am satisfied that the accountability of the council is in order, both in terms of regulation and in practice.

The Council is covered by Freedom of Information legislation. Because of the self funding position of the Council, the terms of reference of the PAC do not extend to it.

Question No. 240 answered with Question No. 238.
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