Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Jun 1992

Vol. 421 No. 4

Written Answers. - Teacher Training College Applications.

Jim Higgins

Question:

143 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education if he will outline the number of (a) male and female students who sat preliminary interviews for entry to primary school teacher training for each of the colleges and (b) the number of male and female students who have been notified that they have not been successful for entry into each of the colleges; the reason that students, who were successful in a particular college, are ineligible for entry to any other training college; and the criteria used in selecting successful applicants.

Minister for Education (Mr. S. Brennan)

For the first time this year applications for entry to the Colleges of Education for primary teachers are being processed through the Central Applications Office and candidates will be selected solely on the basis of their Leaving Certificate results.

The Colleges of Education themselves are conducting interviews solely in relation to the suitability of candidates for teaching. My Department is not involved in these interviews and does not have information on the outcome of such interviews.

Arrangements made under the CAO system provide that candidates who obtain sufficient points to gain a place in teacher training, but not enough for a place in their chosen college, may be offered a place in another college if they so wish.