180 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there has been an unreasonable delay in granting a person (details supplied) in County Waterford recognition as a teacher at a school for special needs; and if recognition will be granted without further delay. [12306/02]

I can confirm that the person referred to by the Deputy has lodged an application for recognition as a primary teacher with the primary administration section of my Department in Athlone. Unfortunately, the documentation supplied to date does not contain sufficient information to allow my Department to make a decision on this application. The documentation submitted, to date, does not clearly establish whether the qualification possessed by the person referred to by the Deputy relates to primary or second level teaching. A departmental official has recently written to the college in the United Kingdom from where this person graduated and requested further information. On receipt of this information this matter will be further considered.