asked the Minister for Education (a) the number of requests for metalwork teachers for the 1980-81 school year; (b) the number allocated; (c) the number who will graduate in summer 1981; (d) the number who will graduate in summer 1982; (e) the number of new post-primary schools due to open between now and September 1982 inclusive; (f) the estimated total shortfall of metalwork teachers in September 1982; and (g) the steps he proposes to take to meet the need.
Written Answers. - Metalwork Teachers.
319.
(a) 78 requests for metalwork teaching posts were received for the 1980-81 school year; (b) 24 posts were allocated; (c) 19 trainees on Department's teacher training course in Bolton Street will take their final examination for the metalwork teachers' certificate of the Department in summer 1981; (d) None. The course in Bolton Street ending in June 1981 is the last to be run by the Department of Education and the first course graduates from Thomond College of Education will complete their course in 1983; (e) It is anticipated that about ten new post-primary schools will open between now and September 1982 inclusive; (f) and (g) The extent of a shortfall, if any, of supply in relation to demand in 1982-83 could not be estimated at this stage as it would be related to the measures to be taken to alleviate, or remedy, the situation. These measures would comprise a combination of the following:
(i) Appropriate re-deployment of existing staff i.e. staff not fully employed on metalwork courses in the schools; (ii) adjustment of time-tabling of courses; (iii) forward planning of teaching recruitment in 1981-82; (iv) relating the curriculum in individual schools to the availability of teacher resources.