Under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.
The Teaching Council is responsible for the maintenance of the Register of Teachers in Ireland as set out in the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 in line with the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations (SI 444).
The Schedule in the Regulations sets out the qualifications required for registration under four routes of registration; Primary, Post Primary, Further Education and Route 4 Other. All registrants are required to hold an accredited teacher education qualifications (TEQ) appropriate to their route of registration either in advance of registration (i.e. Primary, Post-primary, Other) or within three years of registration (Further Education).
The Teaching Council inform me that where an applicant for registration holds an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Music but does not hold an appropriate teacher education qualification they are generally offered registration under Further Education subject to the condition of completing an accredited Teacher Education Qualification (TEQ). The condition of registration is that a TEQ appropriate for Further Education teaching must be completed with a period of three years. The Council accredits a number of programmes for Further Education teaching, further information on those is available on the Teaching Council website at:
www.teachingcouncil.ie/en/teacher-education/initial-teacher-education/professional-accreditation-of-programmes/further-education/
These programmes provide teachers with the professional knowledge, understanding and pedagogical skills required to carry out their teaching roles and responsibilities as a Further Education teacher. A licence as a music teacher is not deemed to be the equivalent of a teacher education qualification recognised for the purposes of registration with the Council.
It should be noted that after three years, if the registrant does not complete the TEQ, under the Teaching Council Act they must apply for an extension of time prior to the expiry date of their condition. The granting of an extension request is at the discretion of the Council and is governed by Section 32 of the Teaching Council Act. All extensions are granted on the understanding that the registered teacher complies with the condition of their registration.
Under section 30 of the Teaching Council Acts, a teacher in a recognised school is required to be registered with the Teaching Council in order to be paid from Oireachtas-voted funds.
The Teaching Council does not have any remit in relation to the employment or deployment of teachers. Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board as employer are best placed to advise as to the application of Section 30 for teachers in the Limerick School of music.
