I welcome the Minister, Deputy Dara Calleary, to the House. I thank him for coming here today. I call Senator Keogan.
Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters
Social Welfare Payments
I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. It is great to see the Minister here. I wish to raise a matter that, while it may appear technical on the surface, has very real consequences for ordinary people.
I call on the Minister to make a statement on the need to move towards a more universal system where all taxable Department of Social Protection payments are automatically reported to the Revenue Commissioners. At present, our system is inconsistent. Many Department of Social Protection payments are already reported to Revenue in real time. The State pension, jobseeker's benefit, maternity benefit, and one-parent family payment are integrated into the PAYE system, allowing tax to be collected during the year in a relatively smooth and predictable way. However, that is not the full picture. There remains a category of taxable Department of Social Protection payments, often older and more specialised schemes, where this integration has not taken place. The following payments are not automatically reported: the bereaved partner's pension, the blind pension, the death benefit, the deserted wife's allowance, the deserted wife's benefit, and the disablement payment. Instead, we rely on individual receipts to declare them manually.
The consequences of this are very real. Imagine a person who has worked all his or her life and is now in receipt of a modest pension alongside a smaller welfare payment, or think of someone's grandmother who receives one of these legacy supports. These people are not tax experts. They reasonably assume that if the State is paying them an income, the tax due is being handled, but then, at the end of the year, without warning, they receive a tax bill. It is not because they did anything wrong but because the system relied on them to know something that would not be obvious to most people, namely, that their particular payments were not reported automatically. That creates stress and confusion. It undermines confidence in the system. It is especially frustrating because it is entirely avoidable.
There is a further dimension to this. Since many of these payments are older legacy schemes, they are, by definition, more likely to affect older and more vulnerable citizens. They are the people least equipped to navigate a complex tax system and they are the ones most exposed to its gaps, which brings me to the central point. This is the modern digital age. We have a PAYE system that operates in real time across the vast majority of incomes. Public bodies share data seamlessly. The State already has the mechanism in place, as shown by the many Department of Social Protection payments that are already integrated. Why are we not joining the dots? I have to say "Well done" to the Government for adding the carer's benefit and allowance to the automatic reporting system, but it is a bit shocking that this was only done this year. That should not be the case.
If the State makes a payment and it is taxable, then it should follow, as a basic principle, that it is automatically reported to the Revenue. That should be the default systematic assumption, not something that depends on the type of scheme or when it was introduced. Instead, what we have is a patchwork system. Payments have been added here and there over time, often in response to issues as they arose, rather than designed from the outset as part of a coherent whole.
To be fair, let us focus on the positives. Ireland overall has very good tax systems compared with many other countries. It is efficient, relatively simple, and operates in real time. The Revenue Commissioners are probably the best arm of the State. It is precisely because of that strength that we should be aiming higher. Where gaps exist, particularly gaps that affect ordinary people in their day-to-day lives, we should be closing them, and this is one of those gaps. Accordingly, I am asking the Minister to set out whether the Government intends to move to a universal model of automatic reporting on all taxable Department of Social Protection payments, and if not, to explain why a reform that is so practical, achievable and necessary has not yet been implemented, or if it will maybe make all these payments tax-exempt.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir Keogan as ucht an t-ábhar seo a ardú. As the Senator has intimated, it is important to note that individuals are responsible for reporting their income to the Revenue Commissioners. For any Department of Social Protection payment that is taxable, the decision letters clearly state, when the payment is awarded, whether this information is shared with Revenue or whether the customer needs to notify Revenue themselves. It is a general principle of taxation that, in the absence of a specific exemption, all income, from whatever source, is income for tax purposes and this includes amounts paid to an individual by the Department of Social Protection. Responsibility for taxation policy, including the tax treatment of social welfare payments, rests with the Minister for Finance and is administered by the Revenue Commissioners. All payments from the Department of Social Protection are considered taxable unless specifically exempted from income tax.
The legislation governing the taxation of social welfare payments is in sections 19 and 126 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, which was amended in 2018 to clarify which payments are exempt from the charge to tax. It should be noted that these payments are subject to income tax but exempt from the universal social charge and PRSI.
In order that Revenue can ensure that the right amount of income tax is collected in a timely manner, my Department reports details of these taxable payments to it on an ongoing basis. There are currently 20 scheme types on the taxable payments report, with nearly 1 million customers, including those in receipt of State contributory and non-contributory pension, illness benefit and invalidity pension payments.
There are a few very small schemes, with only approximately 18,000 customers in total, that are not yet included in the report. My Department exchanges the taxable payments report with the Revenue Commissioners each week, giving details of the customers. Such data exchanges between the Department and Revenue are permitted under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005.
Where a person also has an additional source of employment, occupation or pension income, the mechanism used to collect tax due involves reducing the person’s annual tax credits and rate band by the annual amount of their social welfare income. This ensures that the Department of Social Protection payment is paid gross to the recipient, while the salary or pension paid by the employer would have any tax due on both the social welfare payment and the employment deducted from it.
Senior officials in my Department engage regularly with Revenue by means of a joint high-level group that meets to discuss matters of mutual interest. The group is currently in discussions about including those last few taxable social welfare schemes on the taxable payments report.
I endorse the Senator’s remarks on the Revenue Commissioners and their work. I thank her for raising this issue. I will continue to keep in touch with her on it as we progress towards sharing the information.
I thank the Minister for engaging with me on this issue. He stated that only 18,000 are affected, but informing people is not the same as designing a system that works for them. The system should not depend on whether a citizen happens to understand the technical distinction between reported and non-reported payments. Where the State can take care of this issue, it should. It is as simple as that.
These payments are complex, and the complexity is being pushed onto the citizen, which is neither acceptable nor efficient. A burden of complex administration is being taken from the Civil Service, which is best able to handle it, and put onto the citizen, who is less equipped to understand the matter. That will only result in more time and resources being spent on correcting errors. We all know that when we owe the Revenue Commissioners, be it in life or in death, the payment is taken. Maybe the Minister could take my remarks on board and maybe we could have a complete tax exemption that includes carers.
Tax exemptions are a matter for the Minister for Finance, but I assure the Senator that we want to ensure our payments, which are a lifeline to so many, do not lead to a build-up of tax liability. I absolutely want to avoid a situation of surprise or anxiety. I am totally with the Senator on that. That is why we share the data in relation to taxable social welfare payments. We share it on a weekly basis to allow the tax to be deducted throughout the year rather than at the end. I have gone through the method. I assure the Senator that the decision letters that are issued to customers state clearly whether they need to notify Revenue or whether we include the data in the taxable payments report.
There are about 18,000 customers on six schemes that are not included in the weekly taxable payments report. We are working towards including them. I assure the Senator, and I want to emphasise, that I do not want a situation where customers of the Department of Social Protection end up with a build-up of tax liabilities. We are working towards addressing this.
Departmental Properties
The Minister of State is welcome.
I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, for coming to the House - in fairness, he is always ready to step up and serve in whatever way he can - but I am disappointed the Minister for Defence is not taking this Commencement matter. I have tabled a number of Commencement matters about the Curragh over the past year and the Minister has never come in to take any of them. I had the opportunity to speak to her briefly about it, as well as communicating via numerous emails.
The situation in the Curragh is absolutely appalling. In recent years I have flagged, as have many others, the illegal encampments that come to the Curragh. Year after year I get the same emails from the same people and I am embarrassed and frustrated that I have to go back without any real answer about what is happening with the Curragh. The latest instalment of the encampment is between 80 and 100 caravans. There is a big tent like a circus tent in the middle of the Curragh. There are portaloos. The rubbish, as Minister of State will be able to imagine, with that number of people there illegally, is mounting up. Bear in mind that approximately two months ago, €180,000 of taxpayers' money was spent on removing the rubble that was there. One of the greens in Cill Dara Golf Club has been damaged. Two of them were damaged last year.
Given that a court order has been made, I cannot understand how they are still there. Having had numerous meetings with An Garda Síochána, which has said it is willing to support the Department of Defence in whatever way it can, I cannot understand how they are still there. I had a meeting with the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, recently about how the Department of justice can support the Department of Defence at this point in time.
There is a huge environmental impact. There is a severe strain on and potential degradation of the fragile Curragh ecosystem, which is hugely important. There is a huge social nuisance. There is a restriction of access for local residents who utilise the plains to exercise and rest and for recreation and there is a significant visual impact on this historic, protected landscape.
On Sunday, I was at the induction of Jim Kavanagh into the Irish Derby Festival Hall of Fame. Jim is the former chief executive of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association. He is a passionate advocate for the Curragh. He is a real racing historian and curator and has put together a wonderful museum of racing legends. Sadly, he had to devote most of his speech to what is happening in the Curragh. The Curragh is internationally recognised for its thoroughbred industry. There is a real concern among the many trainers based around it about bringing their horses out; about rubbish being there that could damage the horses; and about animals, including dogs and horses, being mistreated. Of course there is always concern about contagious diseases.
I hope the Minister of State has some type of reply for me because we need to have long-term preventative measures and we need the current issues to be remedied as soon as possible.
I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I acknowledge her continual and strong advocacy on this issue, not only in the past few weeks, but months and years.
It is regrettable that the Minister cannot be here today as she is caught up with preparations for the EU Presidency, but she sends her apologies. I will read the response given and hopefully it does address some of the Senator's concerns. If not, we will see how we can take it from there in the follow-up section.
Already this year, the Curragh has seen several different illegal encampments, including one containing approximately 100 caravans, which the Senator alluded to. This has caused a great deal of disruption and anxiety to local stakeholders. The Department of Defence does not accept that those occupying these encampments have any right to reside on the Curragh Plains and as such has been engaged regularly with the Chief State Solicitor's Office, CSSO, to ensure that all legal steps are taken promptly to protect the plains.
In April, the Department initiated proceedings for relief for trespass in the High Court and in the preceding months a number of other parties were served with notices and added to the proceedings before the court. On 5 June 2026, Mr. Justice Jordan granted an interim court order against 35 named individuals and other persons unknown in the occupation on the Curragh. These orders were served on those occupants by bailiffs on the evening of Monday, 8 June 2026, with orders to vacate. Interlocutory orders were served on the occupants of the large encampment on the evening of Friday, 12 June 2026. Further notices to quit were delivered to the encampment on Saturday, 20 June 2026.
In terms of addressing these challenges in the longer term, the Department of Defence is working to ensure that we move to a modern and sustainable regulatory model in managing this historically important landscape. In collaboration with Kildare County Council, the Curragh consultancy project was published in 2024, which identified the need for a review of the Curragh by-laws and the Curragh of Kildare Act, as well as potential amendments to provide effective solutions to challenges faced. The report also identified the need to consider a dedicated agency responsible for the Curragh or to assign responsibility for the site to an existing agency with the necessary expertise to maximise the potential of the plains.
The Government is committed to the implementation of these recommendations to address both the opportunities and challenges, as can be seen by its inclusion in the programme for Government. To this end, Department officials are continuing to engage with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, which has undertaken an initial scoping of the likely requirements.
I am informed that officials from the Department's property management branch met officials from the NPWS on Wednesday last, 17 June 2026, at the Curragh and undertook a tour of the plains. I am informed that this was a very positive engagement and that the appropriate next steps will be identified in the near future.
I thank the Senator again for raising this matter and would like to assure her on behalf of the Minister that it is her intention to ensure that the Curragh Plains, as an important element of our shared heritage, is protected into the future, while also ensuring maximum benefit to the local population, as well as to those who come to visit the area.
I certainly welcome the continued engagement with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which has undertaken an initial scoping and I believe this is the way forward. I am also pleased to hear that there was a meeting between the Department of Defence and the National Parks and Wildlife Service on Wednesday last and the fact that it was positive. This cannot come soon enough. My strong message coming back from here is that those appropriate next steps will not only be identified but will be implemented. It is of absolute urgency that this is seen and taken as a priority.
In terms of the existing encampment that is there - and I thank the Minister of State for providing the chronological order in terms of the dates with the Courts Service - given those dates and the action that has been taken, which is clear, I cannot understand why the encampments are still there. Something is breaking down somewhere. As I said, I met the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, and he was very clear that the Department would do what it could. The gardaí in Newbridge and Kildare are excellent in my dealings with them. Something is breaking down somewhere and we need this resolved.
There is a very strong commitment to ensuring that we have a modern and sustainable regulatory model in place to manage the historically important landscape that is the Curragh. As the Senator acknowledged, there is a conservation plan in place and there are recommendations that put in place the foundation for the future management of the plains. Progress is happening. The difficulty is, whenever anything is identified, we are all very keen to ensure that it is implemented in a timely fashion. The Government is judged not just on identifying what the solutions are for a particular challenge - the challenge in the Curragh being what the Senator has identified - but its implementation of recommendations in a timely fashion. The Senator has made that point very clearly. I give an undertaking that I will relay to the Minister for Defence that it is all very well identifying the recommendations, but their implementation is key and what is expected by the wider community affected by the issue.
Tax Exemptions
The Minister of State is very welcome to the House this afternoon and I thank him for being here. The Crocus Cancer Support Centre in Monaghan is our local cancer support group and operates two free volunteer-driven vehicles, known as the "Crocus cruisers", to exclusively transport local cancer patients to and from their hospital appointments. Last year, it was delighted to receive €37,000 from the Department of Transport, which enabled it to purchase that second vehicle. The service removes travel-related stress and is entirely free for the membership. The Crocus peer support group helps those living with cancer diagnoses who are at different stages of their journeys with all sorts of therapies, counselling, and even the chat. The cars boost Crocus's ability to help local patents by providing transport to appointments and therapies. The volunteer drivers pick up patients either directly from their homes or from the Crocus centre in Monaghan town and transport them to hospital appointments, which are typically in Dublin and Cavan. The service is available completely free of charge to any Crocus members requiring transportation to cancer-related treatments and appointments. Vehicles used exclusively for the transport of cancer patients are typically operated by charities such as Crocus and involve volunteer drivers who transport patients to and from their appointments, and we are deeply indebted to them all. The drivers' fuel and travel-related costs are also covered by the organisation. Vehicles range from custom wheelchair accessible minibuses to standard cars, ensuring that vulnerable patients safely reach critical treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy without financial or geographical barriers. They provide secure, confidential, one-to-one transport for patients who may feel very vulnerable and anxious in regard to travelling at that difficult time for them. Crocus is just one of many support groups across the country that are doing this invaluable work and we are deeply indebted to them all.
Similarly, Blood Bikes provides a crucial service to hospitals, medical centres, nursing homes and GPs across Ireland by delivering and retrieving urgent medical essentials, including whole blood, plasma, fresh milk, and many other critical items. Its rapid transport solutions fulfil individual patient requirements quickly and play a vital role in life-saving efforts. Their skilled volunteers are trained to the highest standards and equipped with the best technology to ensure swift and sure delivery or pickups.
These services are vital and that is why it is such a pity that charities have to raise funds to pay for road tax on these vehicles that provide such essential services. It would not be unreasonable that these fees for road tax should be waived for these particular organisations. We are deeply indebted to these volunteers, who do such great work, and I feel that it would be a little "Thank you" to those organisations if the State was able to pick up the fee for road tax. I look forward to the Minister of State's response.
I acknowledge and thank the Senator for raising what is an extremely important issue. At the outset, the Minister wishes to acknowledge the importance of vehicles used for the transport of cancer patients and of blood bike groups that use vehicles to rapidly transport medical and clinical items to and from healthcare facilities. This voluntary service reduces demand on alternative transport methods and plays an important role in supporting the healthcare system. On 28 April this year, the Minister granted approval of Blood Bikes Medical Transport to use the bus lane network while carrying out its service. This enables it to bypass traffic congestion and reduce transit times for collections and deliveries. That is a very positive development.
The collection of motor tax is administered by the Minister for Transport through the online motor tax system and by local authorities through motor tax offices. Motor tax is a budgetary matter and, as such, primary responsibility lies with the Minister for Finance. Therefore, consultation would be required with the Department of Finance on this subject. Current motor tax exemptions have been introduced in legislation over time and are provided for in the Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act 1952. Motor tax exemptions are currently applied to the following vehicles: State-owned vehicles; diplomatic vehicles; vehicles exempted under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Regulations 1994; vehicles including any cycle with an attachment for propelling it by mechanical power, not exceeding 400 kg in weight unladen adapted and used for invalids; vehicles used exclusively for the transport, whether by carriage or traction, of lifeboats and their gear, or any equipment for affording assistance towards the preservation of life and property in cases of shipwreck and distress at sea; vehicles which are used exclusively for mountain and cave rescue purposes; vehicles which are used exclusively for the transport of road construction machinery which is built in as part of such vehicle or otherwise permanently attached thereto, carries no load except articles or materials used for the purpose of the construction or repair of roads; ambulances, road rollers and fire engines; and vehicles kept by a local authority and used exclusively for the purpose of their fire brigade service.
At present, blood bikes or vehicles used exclusively for the transport of cancer patients are not subject to this exemption. Any proposal to introduce a motor tax exemption for blood bikes must be assessed in the context of the broader taxation and regulatory framework, taking account of legislative changes required, administrative arrangements and the impact on the receipts to the Exchequer in consultation with the Minister for Finance. Consideration must also be given to issues such as eligibility criteria, administrative and operational implementation, and the potential implications for other voluntary organisations that may seek similar treatment. The proposal the Senator has brought forward would require further consideration and analysis.
Before I call the Senator, I welcome Deputy John Connolly and his guests, who are pupils and staff of Eagles Nest National School, Renvyle, County Galway. They are very welcome and I hope they enjoy their visit. I know they are near their holiday, but it is customary here to make sure they have no homework for the rest of the week. I hope they enjoy their holidays when they come at the end of the week.
I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. I fully appreciate that this is a matter for the Minister for Finance, but where would we in this country be without volunteers? Organisations such as the Crocus Cancer Support Centre in Monaghan and blood bikes do fantastic and invaluable work. All the work they do is done by volunteers. If the Government were to introduce a road tax exemption for those vehicles, it would be a small token of appreciation on behalf of the State for the excellent work they do. I sincerely hope the Minister for Finance will take this on board in his deliberations when he is considering his budget, which will be delivered in October this year.
I am taking this matter for the Minister for Transport, but, fortunately for the Senator, I am a Minister of State in the Department of Finance and this is a matter for that Department.
The Senator makes a very valid point about where we would be as a society if we were bereft of volunteerism right across the board, be it in sport or in healthcare provision such as this.
One of the lines of the pre-prepared script that was given was on the costs associated with implementing this measure but what I would like to look at are the cost savings to the health service of this voluntary group providing the service. If we look at that and equate it with the potential costs, I would be somewhat surprised if there is not an overall saving. On that basis, I will take back what the Senator has raised to the Department of Finance and ask the officials to see whether they can quantify the number of vehicles that are in use by that service and what the cost would be, what the cost would be to the HSE if those people were not providing that service, and whether we can expand the exemptions. Honestly, though, it is not in my gift. It is for the senior Minister, in consultation at a wider Government level. However, let us first get costings in real terms for the implementation of the change but also what this valuable organisation is saving the health service.
It would be remiss of me if I did not take the opportunity to congratulate Senator Gallagher on Monaghan's win over the weekend. Unfortunately, it was at the expense of Westmeath and put us into misery after what was a fabulous year. Even though Monaghan has done that to us, I will take on board what the Senator said here today and see can we get a solution for him.
Teaching Council of Ireland
I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan.
I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Chamber to take this important Commencement matter.
I was recently contacted by a teacher who had returned home from Canada looking to take a job as a PE teacher. He described his situation to me. In May 2025, he completed his qualified teacher status. He applied to the Teaching Council and was told that that was a requirement.
He had previously completed a PE course - a postgraduate certificate in education and a masters in physical education with the Liverpool John Moores University, which is renowned for training PE teachers. Having completed modules in philosophy, psychology and the sociology of physical education, he sought his application from the Teaching Council to move from route 3, which is for further education and training, to route 2, which is post-primary education, where he is looking to take up employment. He had worked on a part-time basis, both in my own county of Wexford and in Dublin.
The situation is that there is no set timeline for the Teaching Council to transpose applications from route 3 to route 2. In an area where we know there is a big demand across the school sector for physical education teachers, it seems unacceptable that there is no clear guidance on how long an application can take with the Teaching Council.
In this particular case, which highlights a wider issue with the Teaching Council on delays, he was told when he did his qualification - the final qualification he requires - in May of last year that his application would be processed by the end of the year.
He contacted the council again in February and was told that the matter was being treated as urgent. At the end of April, having not received anything, he contacted the council again and was told he would receive the final decision on 16 June. He still does not have anything. It is unacceptable that he would have to wait for 13 months.
What is the current situation with the Teaching Council regarding this area? Are there any clear timelines? Will the Department of education instruct the Teaching Council to set out clear guidelines? It should also make a designated point of contact available for applicants in similar situations. There needs to be a clear line of communication with somebody. The individual in question has not received a response either accepting or rejecting is application, or even asking for more information. He has just not got any response back, which in this day and age is unacceptable.
I thank the Senator for raising this matter. The Teaching Council is the independent regulatory body of the teaching profession in Ireland. It was established under the Teaching Council Act 2001, as amended. The council's role is to protect the public by promoting and regulating professional standards in teaching. This is carried out through the statutory registration of teachers, ensuring a highly qualified teaching profession whose members meet and uphold high standards of professional competence and conduct.
As a statutory professional standards body, the Teaching Council is required by law to properly determine and authenticate the relevant standards and qualifications of all applicants for registration. One of the ways the council guarantees and regulates standards is by ensuring that all teachers entering the profession in the Republic of Ireland have met the required standards. Ireland, like the majority of regulating countries assesses qualifications awarded outside the State for alignment with the standards which apply in the State. This is a core principle of the EU Directive 2005/36/EU on the recognition of professional qualifications.
The Teaching Council receives approximately 680 eligible applications annually from teachers who have qualified outside of the Republic of Ireland. The qualifications of teachers who qualified outside the State are processed in line with the EU directive and assessed to ensure they are of a comparable standard to those achieved by graduates of accredited initial teacher education programmes in the Republic of Ireland.
A person deemed to be a fully qualified teacher has completed a recognised teacher education qualification and programme of induction. A person must provide an official letter, confirming they are a fully qualified teacher, from the relevant teacher registration body or competent authority in the country of qualification. Post-primary teachers must also meet the post-primary curricular subject requirements for at least one approved curricular subject. In the case of those seeking registration as post-primary teachers in the subject of physical education, this could include, for example, diplomas or certificates in areas that are relevant to the subject being assessed and which may contribute to the overall assessment outcome. As such, applicants who have completed the same teacher education qualification may not necessarily receive the same outcome, as the holistic assessment process considers all relevant qualifications and their professional experience. This is carried out in the interests of supporting applicants to ensure that all demonstrable knowledge, skill and competence is considered.
The Teaching Council of Ireland has confirmed to my Department that, in the last 18 months, the majority of applicants who had completed a graduate diploma in physical education accredited by Liverpool John Moore’s University were not successful in demonstrating that the qualification met the Teaching Council's curricular subject requirements for physical education.
Applications from outside the State are assessed on a holistic basis, taking account of all relevant qualifications held by the applicant and their professional experience. On that basis, it is not possible to state whether a qualification will meet the requirements for registration prior to the full assessment being completed. I may comment on a few more of the points the Senator raises in my closing remarks.
I appreciate the Minister of State’s coming here to speak on behalf of the Department and the Teaching Council. I recognise that each application is assessed on an individual basis.
I will supply him and the Department with the individual details of this constituent. The key point is there does not seem to be a clear timeline for a decision. I appreciate there were 680 applications from individuals who had qualified as teachers outside the State and who are looking to teach in Ireland. Will the Minister of State address the point about a clear timeline for telling an individual they have or have not been approved? The real issue is around uncertainty. Given the time of year, schools are taking on new teachers for the school year starting in late August or early September. In this case, we still have not got a response for this constituent who applied in May 2025. Clear timelines should be issued to the Teaching Council so there is certainty, notwithstanding the fact every application is different.
We have to ensure the Teaching Council is an independent regulatory body and that it carries out its independent registration function. Neither I nor any Department has a role in that because it has to be very much independent. By being so independent, its authority and status is upheld.
The Department has advised me the average processing time for registration of qualifications gained outside the Republic of Ireland is seven weeks from receipt of completed applications. Directive 2005/36/EC says it must be done within 12 weeks.
The Senator made a number of points regarding the point of contact. That is something I will take back. I will give that information back to the Teaching Council. I can pass the information on and ask that it be dealt with in a timely manner but the overriding concern is to ensure the Teaching Council is independent of the political system and Department, because it is making sure all is in order and that, at post-primary and all levels, the best qualified teachers are in schools.
The Senator mentioned an application made in May 2025. That is 13 months ago at this stage. I will try to ask if perhaps we could get the Teaching Council to directly liaise with the Senator. It would be inappropriate for it to be liaising with me. Maybe it will clarify that question and also provide a point of contact. Many teachers in primary, post-primary and special schools - and indeed special classes - have qualifications from outside the Republic of Ireland and meet the criteria. It is important because we see some great standards and excellent people who have qualified. There are some anomalies in the system as well. I will ask them to liaise directly with the Senator or his constituent. Also, a point of contact would be important for anybody making an application.
It is not possible to state whether a qualification will, of itself, meet the requirements. That is important to stress. I will endeavour to ask them to liaise directly with the Senator.
Cuireadh an Seanad ar fionraí ar 2.19 p.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís ar 2.33 p.m.
Sitting suspended at 2.19 p.m. and resumed at 2.33 p.m.