The information requested in relation to primary level will be forwarded to the Deputy.
The information in relation to the number of untrained teachers employed in second level schools is not available. It is Department policy that, in as far as is possible second level teachers should teach the subjects in which they are qualified.
A range of measures has been introduced to boost substantially the supply of trained primary teachers.
The intake of trainee primary teachers to the colleges of education was increased substantially in the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 sessions. The total projected intake in the 1999-2000 academic year is 1,283 compared with an intake of 500 in 1996-97.
Between the 2000 and 2001 academic years it is projected that approximately 1,900 newly trained teachers shall graduate from the colleges of education. This represents a huge increase in the number of trained graduates as compared with 1995 when 291 graduated. I would like to place on record my appreciation of the co-operation of the colleges of education in achieving this increase.
A number of other initiatives to reduce the number of untrained personnel have also been introduced. B.Ed graduates of St. Mary's College, Belfast who have studied Irish to honours level as an academic subject as part of their teaching qualification are now recognised as fully qualified.