Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 September 2025
310. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason teachers with a further education qualification and currently working in the primary and secondary school system are discriminated against in terms of admission to masters in education programmes sanctioned by her Department.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50129/25]
View answerI assume that the Deputy is referring to the fact that further education teachers may have qualified with an Ordinary Bachelor’s Degree at Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) whereas applicants wishing to apply for a Professional Master of Education (PME) must have a minimum Honours Bachelor’s Degree, at Level 8 on the NFQ, along with other entry requirements.
The entry requirements for the PME, including the requirement for a minimum Honours Bachelor’s Degree, are a significant factor in the high quality of our teaching profession in Ireland, which is recognised at home and abroad. The requirements are set consistently across the board to maintain the necessary standards for all applicants.
Entry requirements for Primary PME can be found on the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/how-to-qualify-as-a-primary-teacher/
Regarding entry for the Post-Primary PME, the applicant must meet the Teaching Council’s curricular subject requirements for at least one curricular subject. The deputy will find a link to the curricular subject requirements here: www.teachingcouncil.ie/assets/uploads/2024/08/curricular-subject-requirements-post-primary-from-1-jan-2023.pdf
The Department does not have a role in the admissions process for Initial Teacher Education (ITE) providers. It is the role of the ITE provider to determine a student’s suitability for access to the PME.
