S.I. No. 444/2016 - Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016.


ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS

PART 1

PRELIMINARY

1. Citation

2. Commencement

3. Interpretation

PART 2

THE REGISTER

4. Maintenance, publication and inspection of register

5. Information to be entered in register

6. Certificate of registration

7. Inspection of register

8. Obtaining copy of extract of register

9. Correction of register

PART 3

REGISTRATION

10. Criteria for admission to register

11. Conditional registration for newly qualified teachers (NQTs)

12. Conditional registration in order to complete adaptation period or aptitude test

13. Applications for registration

14. Internal review of registration decision

PART 4

RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION

15. Applications for renewal

PART 5

REVOCATION AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

16. Revocation

17. Transitional provisions

SCHEDULE

S.I. No. 444 of 2016

TEACHING COUNCIL (REGISTRATION) REGULATIONS 2016

Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 9th August, 2016.

The Teaching Council, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by section 4, sections 29 and 31 (as amended by sections 8 and 10 of the Teaching Council (Amendment) Act 2015 (No. 31 of 2015)) and section 33 (as amended by section 9 of the Education (Amendment) Act 2012 (No. 14 of 2012)) of the Teaching Council Act 2001 (No. 8 of 2001) (as adapted by the Education and Science (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2010 ( S.I. No. 184 of 2010 )), with the consent of the Minister for Education and Skills, hereby makes the following regulations:

PART 1

PRELIMINARY

Citation

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016.

Commencement

2. These Regulations shall come into operation on 25 July, 2016.

Interpretation

3. (1) In these Regulations—

“Act” means the Teaching Council Act 2001 (No. 8 of 2001);

“Act of 2012” means the Education (Amendment) Act 2012 (No. 14 of 2012);

“Act of 2015” means the Teaching Council (Amendment) Act 2015 (No. 31 of 2015);

“adaptation period” and “aptitude test” have the meanings assigned to them in the Professional Qualifications Directive;

“certified copy” means a copy of a document with an endorsement (signature, stamp and date) on the actual copy which states that an appropriate person has sighted the original document and believes the copy of that document, and—

(a) in the case of a document proving identity (birth certificate or current passport), means a copy of such document certified by a member of An Garda Síochána, a Peace Commissioner, a solicitor or a Commissioner for Oaths, with an original clearly legible stamp affixed on the copy,

(b) in the case of a transcript, parchment, diploma supplement, course handbook or course related documentation, means a copy of such document certified by a member of An Garda Síochána, a Peace Commissioner, a solicitor, a Commissioner for Oaths or registrar’s or registry office of the higher education institution, college or university where the qualification in question was awarded (copies of parchments that are provided along with original transcripts do not need to be certified), and

(c) in the case of a transcript or statement of results that has been printed from an internet student portal, means a copy of such document stamped by the registrar’s or registry office of the college or university where the qualification in question was awarded;

“declaration of consent” has the meaning assigned to it in section 13 of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 (No. 47 of 2012);

“newly qualified teacher” or “NQT” means a teacher who meets the Council’s requirements in terms of qualifications, but who has not completed the required period of professional practice;

“paymaster” means the person or organisation in charge of paying salaries to registered teachers, i.e. the Department of Education and Skills or the Education and Training Boards, as appropriate;

“professional practice” means a period of supervised practice, which meets the Council’s requirements in terms of the procedures it has set down in relation to the induction of teachers into the teaching profession and the procedures and criteria it has set for probation of teachers including for periods of probation;

“Professional Qualifications Directive” means Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 20051 , as amended by Council Directive 2006/100/EC of 20 November 20062 , Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1430/2007 of 5 December 20073 , Commission Regulation (EC) No. 755/2008 of 31 July 20084 , Regulation (EC) No. 1137/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 20085 , Commission Regulation (EC) No. 279/2009 of 6 April 20096 , Commission Regulation (EU) No. 213/2011 of 3 March 20117 , Act concerning the accession of the Republic of Croatia8 , Commission Regulation (EU) No. 623/2012 of 11 July 20129 , Council Directive 2013/25/EU of 13 May 201310 and Directive 2013/55/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 201311 ;

“relevant state” means—

(a) a state (other than the State) which is a contracting party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area signed in Oporto on 2 May 1992, or

(b) Switzerland;

“Registration Committee” means the committee established by the Council pursuant to section 24 of the Act to assist and advise the Council on matters relating to registration;

“route of registration” means the qualifications through which a teacher obtained entry in the Register;

“third country” means a state other than the State or a relevant state.

(2) A word or expression which is used in these Regulations and which is also used in the Professional Qualifications Directive has, unless the context otherwise requires, the same meaning in these Regulations as it has in the Directive.

PART 2

THE REGISTER

Maintenance, publication and inspection of register

4. The register shall be maintained electronically and published online by the Council in accordance with Regulation 7.

Information to be entered in register

5. The following information shall be entered in the register in respect of each registered teacher:

(a) Personal details:

(i) Name under which he or she carries out his or her professional duties as a registered teacher;

(ii) Any other and/or previous names by which the registered teacher is or was known;

(iii) Date of birth;

(iv) Gender;

(v) Personal Public Service Number (PPSN);

(vi) Postal address for correspondence, to include address for the service of notices by or on behalf of the Council under the Acts;

(vii) Email address which the Council may use to contact the registered teacher;

(viii) Telephone number(s) which the Council may use to contact the registered teacher;

(b) Qualifications:

(i) Third level qualifications;

(ii) Route of registration;

(iii) Alternative route by which the registered teacher could also have gained registration (if applicable);

(iv) Subject(s) or area(s) of study through which deemed eligible for registration (if applicable);

(c) Registration details:

(i) Date of registration;

(ii) Registration status (full or conditional);

(iii) Registration number;

(iv) Any conditions imposed under section 31, 33 or 44 of the Acts;

(v) The findings of any disciplinary proceedings under Part 5 of the Act, including any measures confirmed by a panel under section 44(1A) (inserted by section 25(b) of the Act of 2015) of the Act, and the period for which such information shall remain in the Register;

(vi) The information disclosed by the most recent vetting disclosure in the possession of the Council in respect of the person;

(d) Employment details (if applicable):

(i) Name and address of employer;

(ii) Current post including any posts of responsibility held;

(e) Voting category as prescribed under section 10 of the Acts;

(f) Such further information as the Council may approve, from time to time, to be entered in the register.

Certificate of registration

6. A certificate of registration issued under section 31(9)(a) of the Act shall contain, but shall not be limited to, the following information:

(a) Name under which the registered teacher carries out professional duties as a teacher;

(b) Registration number;

(c) Date of registration;

(d) Date upon which registration due for annual renewal;

(e) Route of registration;

(f) Alternative route by which could also have gained registration (if applicable);

(g) Subject(s) or area(s) of study through which deemed eligible for registration, if applicable;

(h) Registration status (full or conditional to include a statement of any conditions attached to registration and the expiry date(s) of any conditions);

(i) A statement that the teacher has obtained the required qualifications to satisfy the Council for registration as a teacher in a recognised school under section 31 (as amended by section 10 of the Act of 2015) of the Act.

Inspection of register

7. (1) Registered teachers may inspect the register by logging in to the Council’s website.

(2) Registered teachers may authorise their paymasters to log in online and inspect the registration information set out in Regulation 5(a)(i), (ii), (iii) and (v), (b) and (c).

(3) The following information from the register shall be made available for public inspection on the Council’s website:

(a) Name under which carries out professional duties as a teacher;

(b) Registration number;

(c) Route of registration;

(d) Alternative route by which could also have gained registration (if applicable);

(e) Registration status (full or conditional, which may include a statement of any conditions attached to registration and the expiry date(s) of any conditions);

(f) Name and address of employer where applicable;

(g) Annual renewal date;

(h) Such other information as the Council may deem necessary in the public interest.

Obtaining copy of extract of register

8. (1) Where the Director provides a copy of an entry or extract of the register pursuant to section 29(6)(b) of the Act, it shall contain the following information:

(a) Name under which carries out professional duties as a teacher;

(b) Name and address of employer where applicable;

(c) Registration number;

(d) Date extract provided;

(e) Route of registration;

(f) Alternative route by which could also have gained registration (if applicable);

(g) Registration status (full or conditional which may include a statement of any conditions attached to registration and the expiry date(s) of any conditions);

(h) Date of registration;

(i) Annual renewal date;

(j) Voting category as prescribed under section 10 of the Acts;

(k) Such other information as the Council may deem necessary in the public interest.

Correction of register

9. (1) Registered teachers shall ensure that the information recorded in the register in relation to his or her registration is accurate and up to date.

(2) Registered teachers may view their registration details online and shall be entitled to edit the following personal details:

(a) address for correspondence;

(b) contact email address and telephone numbers;

(c) employment details; and

(d) such further details as the Council may approve from time to time.

(3) In the case of certain changes in relation to the information recorded in the register relating to a registered teacher, to include details concerning an applicant’s name or qualifications, the registered teacher shall be required to provide documentary evidence of this, and the requirements of Regulation 13(2) shall apply to such evidence as if the applicant was applying for registration.

(4) When an application for correction of the register results in a change in information contained in a registration certificate, the Council may make available an updated certificate to the registered teacher in question.

PART 3

REGISTRATION

Criteria for admission to register

10. (1) In order to be entitled to be admitted to the register, each applicant shall satisfy the Council—

(a) that the qualification(s) which he or she possesses meets the education, training and qualifications criteria for admission to the register by one or more of the following routes:

(i) primary;

(ii) post-primary;

(iii) further education; or

(iv) other,

as set down in the Schedule; and

(b) that he or she has satisfied the Council that he or she is a fit and proper person to be admitted to the register.

(2) All newly qualified teachers, who meet the criteria set out in paragraph (1), shall be granted conditional registration pending successful completion of supervised professional practice as set down by the Council.

(3) The Council may register an applicant subject to such conditions as the Council considers appropriate, including an applicant who was previously voluntarily removed from the register, an applicant who was previously removed from the register for failure to apply for renewal of registration, and an applicant who was previously removed from the register for failure to comply with a condition of registration..

(4) If the Council is not satisfied that an applicant meets the education, training and qualifications criteria determined by the Council in accordance with paragraph (1) following an assessment of his or her qualifications under the general system for the recognition of evidence of training provided for in Title III, Chapter I of the Professional Qualifications Directive, it may require that applicant to complete an adaptation period or take an aptitude test, or to both complete an adaptation period and take an aptitude test, in accordance with that Directive.

(5) For the avoidance of doubt, paragraph (4) shall also apply to applicants from relevant states who do not come within the scope of the Professional Qualifications Directive and to third country applicants.

Conditional registration for newly qualified teachers (NQTs)

11. (1) All NQTs shall successfully complete a period of supervised professional practice, as set down by the Council, in order to obtain full registration as a teacher.

(2) Save in exceptional circumstances approved by the Council under paragraph (3), all NQTs shall complete supervised professional practice, as set down by the Council, within a period of 3 years from the date that he or she is granted conditional registration.

(3) If a NQT does not complete a period of supervised professional practice as set down by the Council, within 3 years, he or she may apply to the Council for an extension of the specified period upon such form as may be prescribed by the Council from time to time, and any extension of the specified period shall be at the discretion of the Council.

(4) Where a NQT fails to successfully complete the period of supervised professional practice within 3 years, or within an extension of that period granted by the Council under paragraph (3), that person’s conditional registration shall lapse.

(5) Where a NQT who is registered subject to a condition or conditions voluntarily removes himself or herself from the register and later reapplies to be admitted to the register in accordance with these Regulations, that teacher shall be allocated the balance of the time period originally granted to meet the requirements of the condition or conditions, as originally specified, save in exceptional circumstances.

(6) Where a NQT who is registered subject to a condition or conditions is removed from the register for failure to apply for renewal of registration and later reapplies to be admitted to the register in accordance with these Regulations, that teacher shall be allocated the balance of the time period originally granted to meet the requirements of the condition or conditions, as originally specified, save in exceptional circumstances.

Conditional registration in order to complete adaptation period or aptitude test

12. (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Council may grant conditional registration to any applicant who comes within the scope of the Professional Qualifications Directive for a period of up to 3 years in order to allow the applicant to complete an adaptation period or an aptitude test.

(2) The Council shall not grant conditional registration to an applicant whose application for registration was received on or after 1 January 2020 and who has opted to take an aptitude test rather than an adaptation period, other than for periods of professional practice.

(3) Paragraph (1) shall also apply to applicants from relevant states who do not come within the scope of the Professional Qualifications Directive, and to third country applicants.

(4) A teacher with conditional registration may obtain full registration upon the successful completion of an adaptation period or an aptitude test, subject to the successful completion of any other conditions.

(5) If a teacher with conditional registration fails to comply with a condition or conditions within the prescribed time period, he or she may apply within the specified period in writing to the Council on such form as is provided by it for an extension of the specified time period, and any extension of the specified period shall be at the discretion of the Council.

(6) Where a person fails to comply with the conditions within a specified period or within any extension of the specified period by the Council, that person’s conditional registration shall lapse and he or she shall be removed from the Register.

(7) Where a teacher who is registered subject to a condition or conditions voluntarily removes himself or herself from the register and later reapplies to be admitted to the register in accordance with these Regulations, that teacher will only be allocated the balance of the time period originally granted to meet the requirements of the condition or conditions, as originally specified, save in exceptional circumstances.

(8) Where a teacher who is registered subject to a condition or conditions is removed from the register for failure to apply for renewal of registration and later reapplies to be admitted to the register in accordance with these Regulations, that teacher shall only be allocated the balance of the time period originally granted to meet the requirements of the condition or conditions, as originally specified, save in exceptional circumstances.

Applications for registration

13. (1) An application for registration shall be made in such form as is provided from time to time by the Council.

(2) An application for registration shall contain the following information:

(a) Details of the applicant’s personal information including:

(i) Name under which the applicant shall carry out his or her professional duties as a teacher;

(ii) Any other name(s) or previous name(s) by which the applicant is or was known, if any;

(iii) Date of birth;

(iv) Gender;

(v) Personal public service number (PPSN);

(vi) A certified copy of the applicant’s birth certificate or passport;

(vii) if the applicant’s name has changed, a certified copy of the applicant’s marriage or civil partnership certificate or an authenticated copy of the deed of name change; and

(viii) Any other proof of identity that the Council may feel is necessary for identification purposes;

(b) The applicant’s contact details including:

(i) The applicant’s postal address for correspondence and service of notices by or on behalf of the Council under the Acts;

(ii) The applicant’s email address for correspondence; and

(iii) The applicant’s contact telephone numbers;

(c) Details and evidence of the applicant’s qualification(s) in reliance upon which the application is made, which may include—

(i) Certified copies of degrees and diplomas, if applicable,

(ii) Certified copies of qualification transcripts of results for each year of undergraduate and postgraduate qualification(s) and/or permission to view the applicant’s results online,

(iii) A certified copy of the sections in the course handbook or course-related documents for each year of the course studied by the applicant,

(iv) Certified translations of the above, if applicable, and

(v) Any other information that the Council may consider is necessary for the verification of the applicant’s qualifications;

(d) Evidence as to the applicant’s good character, insofar as it relates to the applicant being a fit and proper person to teach, including—

(i) a declaration of consent and other information which is required by the Council to enable it to obtain a vetting disclosure in respect of the applicant, or a foreign vetting or police disclosure (if applicable),

(ii) a completed declaration of criminal convictions recorded against them, as contained in the application form,

(iii) a completed declaration as to disciplinary history, as contained in the application form along with details of any disciplinary process completed, of which the applicant has been the subject, in which adverse findings were made or as a result of which workplace restrictions were imposed on the applicant by any other professional body, regulatory body or employer in the State or elsewhere (including the equivalent of the Council in any other jurisdiction), as contained in the application form,

(iv) a completed declaration as to any ongoing investigations by the Health Service Executive, the Child and Family Agency, An Garda Síochána or any other public authority in the State or elsewhere, as contained in the application form,

(v) a satisfactory character or employment reference(s) by a suitable person, as identified by the Council,

(vi) certificates of good standing from any other professional or regulatory body of which they have been a member, if applicable, and

(vii) any other information that the Council may consider is necessary for the verification of the applicant’s character;

(e) Details and evidence of successful completion of professional practice as set down by the Council, if applicable;

(f) Details of the applicant’s previous registration by the Council and information as to why the applicant is no longer on the Register; and

(g) Any other information that the Council may require on the basis that it is necessary for the purpose of section 31 of the Act.

(3) An application for registration shall be accompanied by such fee as may be prescribed by Council under section 23 of the Act and set out in the application form.

(4) An application for registration shall be completed in full, signed and dated by the applicant.

(5) An application for registration shall be sent or delivered to the Council in the manner set out in the application form.

Internal review of registration decision

14. An applicant for registration may request an internal review of a decision of the Council to refuse registration or impose conditions on registration, without prejudice to the applicant’s right of appeal under section 31(8) of the Act.

PART 4

RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION

Applications for renewal

15. (1) An application for renewal of registration shall be in such form as is provided from time to time by the Council.

(2) An application for renewal of registration shall contain the following information:

(a) The applicant’s personal details, which may include the applicant’s PPSN number;

(b) The applicant’s postal address for correspondence, contact email address and telephone number(s);

(c) the name and address of the applicant’s employer, if any;

(d) details of the applicant’s current teaching post including any posts of responsibility held; and

(e) any other information that the Council may require on the basis that it is necessary for the purpose of section 33 (as amended by section 9 of the Act of 2012) of the Act.

(3) An application for renewal of registration shall be accompanied by such fee as may be prescribed by Council under section 23 of the Act and set out in the application for renewal.

(4) An application for renewal of registration shall be completed in full by the applicant, who shall declare that the details contained in the Register are correct.

(5) An application for renewal shall be made online or sent to the Council in the manner set out in the renewal notice.

(6) A notice shall be issued on renewal pursuant to section 33(7) (inserted by section 9 of the Act of 2012) of the Act, which may contain the following:

(a) Name under which the registered teacher carries out his or her professional duties as a teacher;

(b) Registration number;

(c) Date of registration;

(d) Period for which certificate valid;

(e) Expiration date of registration;

(f) Route of registration;

(g) Alternative route by which could also have gained registration (if applicable);

(h) Subject(s)/area(s) through which deemed eligible for registration, if applicable;

(i) Registration status (full or conditional to include a statement of any conditions attached to registration) and the expiry date(s) of any conditions; and

(j) A statement that the teacher has obtained the required qualifications to satisfy the Council for registration under section 31 of the Acts as a teacher in a recognised school.

PART 5

REVOCATION AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Revocation

16. The Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2009 (S.I. 595 of 2009) are revoked.

Transitional provisions

17. (1) Where, before the entry into force of these Regulations, an application for registration under the Regulations referred to in Regulation 16 has been made but not yet determined, these Regulations shall apply to that application.

(2) Where, before the entry into force of these Regulations, an application for renewal of registration under the Regulations referred to in Regulation 16 has been made but not yet determined, the provisions of those Regulations shall continue to apply to the application as if they had not been revoked.

Schedule

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS CRITERIAfor admission to the register by one or more of the routes identified in Regulation 10(1)

Regulation 10(1)

Glossary of terms

In this Schedule:

“accredited” means accredited under section 38 (as amended by section 10 of the Act of 2012) of the Act;

“European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System or ECTS credits” means the credit system for higher education used in the European Higher Education Area;

“further education” means qualified to teach students in recognised schools who are normally 16 years of age and older and who are attending education and training settings outside the post-primary schooling but which are not part of the third-level system;

“General System” refers to the system for assessing the equivalency of qualifications, which is contained in the Professional Qualifications Directive;

“Other” means the route by which applicants may obtain entry onto the register in the particular circumstances which are set out in that route;

“National Framework of Qualifications or NFQ” means the ten-level system (1–10) giving an academic or vocational value to qualifications obtained in Ireland;

“post-primary” means qualified to teach pupils or students from first year to sixth year, normally age range 12 to 18 years;

“primary” means qualified to teach pupils or students normally from junior infants to sixth class, age range 4 to 12 years.

ROUTE 1: PRIMARY

A person who applies to be entered on the register on the basis of qualifications as a primary teacher shall satisfy the Council that he or she has obtained one of the following:

1. An undergraduate degree in teacher education which:

(a) combines the study of curricular subject disciplines with other initial teacher education components including school placement, foundation studies and professional studies;

(b) is accredited by the Council for the purposes of primary teaching;

(c) is at level 8 or higher on the NFQ; and

(d) has a ECTS weighting of at least 240 credits of which teacher education studies is assigned a minimum of 120 credits.

OR

2. A post-graduate qualification in teacher education which:

(a) combines the study of curricular subject disciplines with other initial teacher education components including school placement, foundation studies and professional studies and accredited by the Council;

(b) is accredited by the Council for the purposes of primary teaching;

(c) is at level 8 or higher on the NFQ;

(d) has a ECTS weighting of at least 120 credits; and

(e) is commenced following the award of an undergraduate degree at Level 8 or higher on the NFQ, which has a ECTS credit weighting of at least 180 credits.

OR

3. A qualification or qualifications obtained which, in the opinion of the Council is or are of an equivalent standard to the standards required under paragraphs 1 or 2 set forth above, having conducted an assessment of that qualification in accordance with the General System.

ROUTE 2: POST- PRIMARY

A person who applies to be entered on the register on the basis of qualifications as a post-primary teacher shall satisfy the Council that he or she has obtained one of the following:

1. An undergraduate degree in teacher education which:

(a) combines the study of one or more of the curricular subject disciplines, with other initial teacher education components including school placement, foundation studies and professional studies;

(b) is accredited by the Council for the purposes of post-primary teaching;

(c) is at level 8 or higher on the NFQ;

(d) has a ECTS weighting of at least 240 credits of which teacher education studies is assigned a minimum of 120 credits; and

(e) satisfies the requirements for at least one curricular subject as published by the Council on its website at the time of the application.

OR

2. A post-graduate qualification in teacher education which:

(a) includes school placement, foundation studies and professional studies;

(b) is accredited by the Council for the purposes of post-primary teaching;

(c) is at level 8 or higher on the NFQ;

(d) has a ECTS weighting of at least 120 credits; and

(e) is commenced following the award of an undergraduate degree at Level 8 or higher on the NFQ which has a ECTS credit weighting of at least 180 credits and which satisfies the requirements for at least one curricular subject as published by the Council on its website at the time of the application.

OR

3. A qualification or qualifications obtained which, in the opinion of the Teaching Council is or are of an equivalent standard to the standards required under paragraphs 1 or 2 set forth above, having conducted an assessment of that qualification in accordance with the General System.

ROUTE 3: FURTHER EDUCATION

A person who applies to be entered on the register on the basis of qualifications as a teacher in the further education sector shall satisfy the Council that he or she has obtained one of the following:

1. An undergraduate degree in teacher education which:

(a) combines the acquisition of expertise and knowledge along with other initial teacher education components including school placement, foundation studies and professional studies;

(b) is accredited by the Council for the purposes of further education teaching;

(c) is at level 8 or higher on the NFQ; and

(d) has a ECTS weighting of at least 240 credits of which teacher education studies is assigned a minimum of 60 credits.

OR

2. A post-graduate qualification12 in teacher education which:

12The Teaching Council, may at its discretion, grant conditional registration to applicants to permit the completion of qualifications under Route 3, paragraph 2 in accordance Regulation 10(2).

(a) includes school placement, foundation studies and professional studies;

(b) is accredited by the Council for the purposes of further education teaching;

(c) is at level 8 or higher on the NFQ;

(d) has a ECTS weighting of at least 60 credits; and

(e) is commenced following the award of an undergraduate degree at Level 8 or higher on the NFQ which has a ECTS credit weighting of at least 180 credits.

OR

3. A post-graduate qualification13 in teacher education which:

13The Teaching Council, may at its discretion, grant conditional registration to applicants to permit the completion of qualifications under Route 3, paragraph 3 in accordance with Regulation 10(2).

(a) includes school placement, foundation studies and professional studies;

(b) is accredited by the Teaching Council for the purposes of further education teaching;

(c) is at level 8 or higher on the NFQ;

(d) has a ECTS weighting of at least 60 credits;

(e) is commenced following the award of an undergraduate degree or equivalent at level 7 or higher on the NFQ which has a ECTS credit weighting of at least 180 credits; and

(f) either—

(i) an appropriate additional qualification, or

(ii) certified accreditation of prior learning based on a minimum of three years’ experience in a workplace or instructional setting which is relevant to the candidate’s qualifications such as may be recognised by the Council as suitable for the purpose of registration as a teacher under this route.

OR

4. A qualification or qualifications which in the opinion of the Teaching Council meets or meet the criteria for registration under Route 2: Post-Primary.

OR

5. A qualification or qualifications which, in the opinion of the Council is or are of an equivalent standard to the standards required under paragraphs 1, 2, 3 or 4 set forth above, having conducted an assessment of that qualification in accordance with the General System.

ROUTE 4: OTHER

A person who applies to be entered on the register on the basis of qualifications as a teacher under this route shall satisfy the Council that he or she:

1. Was previously admitted to the register under Regulation 3 (Montessori and Other Categories) of the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2009.

OR

2. Has obtained a qualification or qualifications in special needs education outside of Ireland which, in the opinion of the Council is or are of an equivalent standard to the standards required under paragraph 1 set forth above, having conducted an assessment of that qualification in accordance with the General System.

OR

3. Applied for registration on or before 31 December 2023 and has obtained a level 8 qualification on the NQF in Montessori Education undertaken in Ireland which was commenced on or before 1 October 2018 and completed on or before 31 December 2023.

OR

4. Applied for registration on or before 31 December 2023 and has obtained a qualification or qualifications outside of Ireland which in the opinion of the Council is or are of an equivalent standard to the standards required under paragraph 3 set forth above, having conducted an assessment of that qualification in accordance with the General System.

The Minister for Education and Skills consents to, and approves of, the making of the foregoing Regulations.

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GIVEN under the Official Seal of the Minister for Education and Skills,

25 July 2016.

RICHARD BRUTON,

Minister for Education and Skills.

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GIVEN under the seal of the Teaching Council

25 July 2016.

GERRY QUINN,

Chairperson.

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SEAN MCMAHON,

Deputy Chairperson.

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TOMÁS Ó RUAIRC,

Director.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Statutory Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

These Regulations are made under sections 4, 29, 31 and 33 of the Teaching Council Act 2001 . They provide for a number of matters in relation to the register of teachers and the registration, and renewal of registration, of teachers on that register.

These Regulations revoke the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2009.

These Regulations may be cited as the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016.

1 OJ No. L 255, 30.9.2005, p. 22.

2 OJ No. L 363, 20.12.2006, p. 141.

3 OJ No. L 320, 6.12.2007, p. 3.

4 OJ No. L 205, 1.8.2008, p. 10.

5 OJ No. L 311, 21.11.2008, p. 1.

6 OJ No. L 93, 7.4.2009, p. 11.

7 OJ No. L 59, 4.3.2011, p. 4.

8 OJ No. L 112, 24.4.2012, p. 6.

9 OJ No. L 180, 12.7.2012, p. 9.

10 OJ No. L 158, 10.6.2013, p. 368.

11 OJ No. L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 132.

12The Teaching Council, may at its discretion, grant conditional registration to applicants to permit the completion of qualifications under Route 3, paragraph 2 in accordance Regulation 10(2).

13The Teaching Council, may at its discretion, grant conditional registration to applicants to permit the completion of qualifications under Route 3, paragraph 3 in accordance with Regulation 10(2).