asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware of the growing shortage of primary teachers, particularly in rural districts, and, if so, if he will state what proposals are under consideration in his Department for dealing with the matter; further, if he will make a general statement in regard to the recruitment of teachers for national schools.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Teachers.
I am aware of the shortage of trained teachers for service in national schools. To deal with the situation, the following measures have been adopted:—
(1) It has been arranged as a temporary measure that in certain circumstances principal, assistant and lay assistant teachers may be retained in the service until the end of the quarter in which they reach 68 years of age.
(2) In addition to increased accommodation which it has been found possible to secure in St. Patrick's and Mary Immaculate Training Colleges, for men and women respectively, provision for the accommodation of 55 extra women students in Our Lady of Mercy Training College was made with effect from September, 1954, and accommodation for a further 65 women students will be available in that college as from September, 1955.
(3) As a temporary measure, from September next, pass university graduates (as well as honours graduates) accepted as training college candidates will be permitted to complete the training course in one year, instead of two as was the practice hitherto. This will result in an increased output of trained teachers from the training colleges. The question of how the supply of trained teachers may be increased still further is being examined.