Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 April 2025
793. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if an MSc in nursing education obtained from UCD can be assessed for the purpose of removing the teacher education qualification condition currently attached to a route 3 further education registration (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18854/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with the statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the state.
It is a function of the Council under the Teaching Council Acts (s7(2)) to act as the competent authority for recognition of qualifications obtained by a person who has applied under this Act for registration as a teacher.
The Teaching Council have advised that they register teachers under the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and in line with the Teaching Council Registration Regulations, 2016. As set out in the Schedule of the Regulations, the Council registers teachers under five routes of registration: Route 1 - Primary, Route 2 - Post-primary, Route 3 - Further Education, Route 4 - Other and Route 5 - Student Teacher. In order to be entered on the Register of Teachers, and depending on the route of registration, all registrants are required to hold, or attain within 3 years, an accredited initial teacher education qualification.
In accordance with Route Three of the Registration Regulations, 2016, applicants for registration for the further education sector, must attain a Council approved further education teacher education qualification. The minimum registration requirements for Route 3 – Further Education as set down in the schedule are as follows:
An undergraduate degree at Level 8 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) which has a ECTS credit weighting of at least 180 credits,
or
An undergraduate degree at Level 7 on the NFQ which has a ECTS credit weighting of at least 180 credits AND either
An appropriate additional qualification, or
A minimum of three years’ experience in a workplace or instructional setting which is relevant to the qualification(s)
AND
A Teaching Council accredited Further Education teacher education qualification (TEQ).
Applicants who meet the degree qualification requirements set out above and who have not completed an accredited TEQ will be eligible for conditional registration for a period of three years in which time this requirement must be completed. If applicants have not addressed this condition of TEQ within the three years, they can apply for an extension of time to meet the condition. Details on how to apply for an extension are available here on our website.
The list of accredited Further Education TEQs are listed here on the Teaching Council’s website.
The Teaching Council have published Further Education: General and Programme Requirements for the Accreditation of Teacher Education Qualifications. These are used by the Council when assessing and accrediting further education teacher education programmes being offered by Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). HEIs who meet these standards can contact the Council in respect of the accreditation process.
There is no mechanism whereby what is being sought can be facilitated, as the transparent and equal application of published regulations and procedures in the state are important legal principles.
