asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that applicants with honours primary and secondary degrees and doctorates are ineligible for some permanent wholetime teaching posts with vocational education committees due to their not having the Céard Teastas; if he will take steps to remedy this situation, if not by removing the requirement at least by allowing such applicants time, for example three years, in which to acquire this certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The position in relation to qualifications in the Irish language required in connection with appointments to permanent wholetime teaching posts under vocational education committees is set out in my Department's memorandum V.7. It is an essential feature of the practical application of the present regulations to posts under vocational education committees that, where necessary, applicants otherwise fully qualified may be recognised in a temporary wholetime capacity whilst they are seeking to acquire qualification in Irish.

Would the Minister not agree that it is most unfortunate from the point of view of vocational education committees that people with honours degrees and even doctorates should be deprived of permanent teaching posts for which they have applied, simply because at a particular point in time they do not have a Céard Teastas? Would he consider, as I have requested in the question, giving them a suitable period in which to acquire this Irish qualification?

At the moment I am having a review made of all the considerations involved here and I shall communicate to the House my decisions in regard to it.

When can we expect an announcement by the Minister in respect of the Irish qualification?

I cannot give the House any indication of the time, but it will be done.

Am I right in thinking the Minister said that facilities are made available to people to qualify after taking up the post in a temporary capacity?

If I may repeat part of the reply: "It is an essential feature of the practical application of the present regulations that, where necessary, applicants otherwise fully qualified may be recognised in a temporary wholetime capacity whilst they are seeking to acquire the qualification.

That covers that.

May I further ask——

Would the Deputy ask a brief question. Progress on questions has been very slow today.

Could I inquire as to the information which is available within universities to students who may want to take up teaching positions? My understanding of the situation, particularly in regard to Trinity College, is that they have not been very alert in regard to advising their undergraduates that this requirement exists within the vocational education structure now.

Perhaps the lacuna, if it exists, will now be remedied as the result of the attention drawn in the House to the matter.

Could I ask the Minister——

Would the Deputy please be brief?

——if we are to take it from his reply that he has at present under consideration the whole question of whether the céard teastas should continue as a qualification for permanent appointment in the vocational education system or not? Is that the impression he is conveying to the House?

No. But I am saying that the whole question of Irish qualifications for teaching in second level schools generally is under consideration.

Bí cúramach.

Further arising——

I have called the next question.

I merely want to ask——

The Chair will be obeyed. No. 12.