asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the difficulty confronting students with BA's and HDE's in securing suitable employment and, if so, his proposals to improve the position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment for Graduates.
21.
In so far as the teaching service is concerned, I am not aware that there is a serious problem in relation to the availability of posts for persons with the kind of qualifications referred to by the Deputy.
In this connection I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a question on 28 June 1979, in which I had occasion to advert to the report entitled The Pattern of Graduate Employment 1978, published by the Association of Irish University Careers and Appointments Services. That report showed that on 31 January 1979 only 102 out of 1,334 or 7.7 per cent who qualified for the Higher Diploma in Education in 1978, and who responded to the survey, were still seeking employment.
There is no evidence available to me that the position has significantly changed in the meantime.
Will the Minister accept that, on his own evidence, 102 graduates with the higher education diploma cannot find employment? Have the Department any advice or assistance to offer to such students who are unemployed and are moving around from pillar to post trying to get employment suitable to their educational qualifications?
I agree that if only ten were unemployed that would be ten too many. In 1978-1979 I approved the provision of 100 additional posts for the 1979-1980 school year for remedial teachers in post-primary schools and I hope that that——
One the eve of Christmas will the Minister give any indication that any proposals emanating from his Department in the early part of 1980 will help these people?
I have already mentioned one scheme to the Deputy.
Are there other schemes?
Question No. 22.