Ó Ríordáin welcomes new rules for employing registered qualified teachers
Issued : Friday 27 May, 2011
Statement by Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD
Labour Party TD for Dublin North Central Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has welcomed the new rules relating to the employment of registered qualified teachers. Deputy Ó Ríordáin was speaking on foot of the announcement made today by Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn which outlined the new rules for employing registered qualified teachers from 1st September of this year.
Deputy Ó Ríordáin states: "I greatly welcome the announcement made today by the Minister as this addresses a vital issue regarding the employment of teachers in the education sector. Under these new guidelines, only appropriately qualified registered teachers will be given priority when it comes time for schools to fill vacant positions.
"The figures released by the Department last month showed that large numbers of teaching positions were occupied by unqualified or retired teachers. This situation was completely untenable when there are so many qualified teachers leaving our colleges every year and not being able to find suitable employment.
"Now, thanks to the actions taken by Minister Quinn, schools will have to choose a qualified teacher from a list of available candidates. This will allow newly qualified teachers to gain much needed experience in the classroom, and thus protect the standard of education for children in schools.
"I must applaud the Minister for taking this action and I believe it is further evidence that The Labour Party in government is tackling key problems which have been allowed to fester for too long."
