Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Jul 1990

Vol. 401 No. 6

Written Answers. - Primary Teacher Numbers.

Jim Higgins

Question:

31 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education the number of permanent primary teachers employed in the years 1988-89 and 1989-90; the number of primary teachers currently on the panel; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

There were 20,362 permanent primary teachers employed on 30 June 1989.

There were 20,296 permanent primary teachers employed on 30 June 1990. The decrease of 66 over the 1989-90 school year is due to the general decrease in enrolment throughout the country. This drop is in spite of 30 additional remedial posts and 98 additional posts under the special scheme of teaching assistance for schools serving disadvantaged areas, which were sanctioned during the school year.

There are currently 157 national teachers on the panels. These are broken down as follows:

Catholic Diocesan Panels	143
Congregational Panels	8
Church of Ireland Panels	6

It is likely that many of these teachers have already secured posts from 1 September 1990, or have deferred their panel rights; however, the Department has not yet been notified by all boards of management of the appointments made by them.