Sir - I wish to correct the inaccurate information conveyed by K. Conway (September 19th) regarding the recognition of primary school teachers in this State.
The Department of Education and Science currently operates a scheme of provisional recognition at primary level. Provisionally recognised teachers are placed on the appropriate point of the salary scale and are entitled to qualification allowances. The scheme enables individuals who are recognised as fully qualified primary teachers in the United Kingdom or other EU member-states to be appointed to a post in a primary school for a period of five years in advance of acquiring an Irish language qualification. On attainment of the Irish language qualification, such teachers are then recognised as fully qualified primary teachers in this State.
In addition, qualified primary teachers who trained outside the State (including teachers who trained outside the EU), but who do not possess the required Irish language qualification, will be granted restricted recognition by the Department to teach in certain special schools and classes where Irish is not a curricular requirement.
Should K. Conway require any further information on the requirements to be recognised as a primary school teacher in this State, officials working in the Primary Administration Section of the Department will be happy to assist. They can be contacted at Primary Administration Section 1, Department of Education and Science, Athlone, Co Westmeath (Tel: 0902-83735). - Yours, etc.,
Brian Masterson, Press Office, Department of Education and Science, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1.