Micheál Martin
Question:2 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education if she will revise or abolish the total quota of places made available for the higher diploma in education course. [5281/95]
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Higher Diploma Quota.
I have recently received a recommendation from the Higher Education Authority and I am considering a range of issues which have a bearing on the question, before coming to a decision.
That is not a very informative answer. Does the Minister believe that the decision last year, when the quota was introduced, to refuse 2,334 students the opportunity to pursue a higher diploma course was fair? Many of those students would have started college on the understanding that they would pursue their undergraduate courses and then go on to complete their higher diploma course, but the arbitrary introduction of a quota has robbed them of that right. Does the Minister believe she has the right to restrict that career opportunity for students?
I am not being cautious or careful when I say I received a recommendation on this matter only on 16 February. I am sure the Deputy is aware I have made dramatic announcements on the numbers of teachers in second level schools which must be taken into consideration. We must consider the take-up of the transition year. Enrolments for the year 1994-95 amounted to 830, which is a significant reduction on previous years. Representations were made to me by the Registration Council, the Association of Management of Catholic Schools and the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland to the effect that increasing difficulties were experienced in obtaining substitutes. Seven hundred extra posts are being made available and there will be concessionary posts, some to cater for increased enrolments and others to maintain the pupil-teacher ratio. A smaller number of students appears to be registering in the vocational sector. The numbers expected to take up the transition year are slightly lower than anticipated. All those considerations must be taken into account before I make a decision on the matter.
There is an interesting history on the quota system. To suggest that one would allow students to enter university, even one as important as the Cork university, without the university education department being aware of the quotas is unfair to students and parents. The year before last 1,027 students availed of the higher diploma course while last year 830 students availed of it. One hundred and eighty five places were made available to graduates in primary teaching. The total number of teacher training positions available to students last year was 1,015, 12 less than the number available the previous year.
We must be very careful in making investments, not only in funding but in third level places. Statistics available from the Higher Education Authority show that only 5.1 per cent of the 755 students graduating from the higher diploma course in 1993 got permanent jobs, 55 per cent took up posts in substitute teaching and 19 per cent got work in areas other than teaching. In providing for a sufficient number of teaching posts —generous plans have been spelt out for second level education — we must be conscious that the number of places available is relevant to requirements.
New information and indicators are available to me. The recommendations for the quota is 800. It was believed that there would be a reduction this year and recommendations were made to close down education departments. In light of consideration of this matter I reassure students, parents and university education departments that the Department of Education constantly updates its information. It will make its decision in light of the information received on 16 February 1995.
Does the Minister believe she has a right to deny career opportunities to students who entered college on the expectation that they would complete their undergraduate degree course and then follow on to the higher diploma course? The measure was brought in midstream. Does the Minister agree consultation should have taken place with the students concerned? Irrespective of the statistics, 2,334 applicants were refused entry to higher diploma courses last year.
They were not.
On the ASTI substitute placement scheme, indications are that there is a shortage of qualified staff to teach subjects such as Irish, Geography and English as well as specialist subjects such as home economics and technology. In view of the development in PLC courses, does the Minister believe she was a little premature in introducing quotas?
We cannot afford the luxury of dwelling unduly long on any one question.
I disagree with the Deputy that I refused the right of entry to more than 2,000 students to the higher diploma course. The remit of the Higher Education Authority includes advising the Minister on places. Two thousand students who wish to take up a career in the dental or medical professions may be filling in CAO forms now and they will also be disappointed. There were 12 fewer places available last year than the year before——
Not for the higher diploma course.
I will make the figures available. Much information emanating particularly from Cork is of concern to parents and students. I reassure them I will make available to them the information, properly disseminated by the Department of Education. I note the point about qualified staff. The areas of qualification brought to my attention are mainly home economics and woodwork. A H. Dip is not required in those areas as those teachers are taught in different ways.
I take the Deputy's point on post-leaving certificate students but the numbers availing of education in the vocational education committee sector are being monitored as I said in my original reply. The House can be assured that the Department of Education will meet the needs of students and the educational sector but cannot, of course satisfy everyone's wishes. There are 12 fewer teachers training places available for graduates last year than the previous year.