Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Feb 2000

Vol. 515 No. 2

Written Answers. - Primary School Statistics.

Tom Enright

Question:

225 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools under his Department; the number of teachers employed in these schools; the number of qualified national school teachers employed in these schools; the number of teachers who do not have national school teaching qualifications in these schools; the number of teachers in these schools who do not have national school teaching qualifications and who have been teaching in excess of ten years in these schools; and the plans, if any, he has to provide a course to enable teachers who have given in excess of ten years service to the profession to enable them to obtain primary school qualifications similar to the courses provided by his predecessors (details supplied). [5656/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The information requested by the Deputy will be forwarded directly to him.

Persons who hold a primary degree may apply for admission to a post-graduate course conducted by the primary teacher training colleges. These courses are provided from time to time when it is deemed necessary to increase the supply of qualified primary teachers. Such courses are generally of eighteen months duration, and enable a primary degree holder to become fully qualified for appointment in a primary school.

However, there are no plans at present to provide such a course for non-graduates who have served in schools for periods in excess of ten years.