Vol. 467 No. 1
42 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education the total number of qualified teachers employed under the aegis of her Department; the number of teachers recognised as adequate to meet educational requirements; the areas in which there is a clear need for improvement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12659/96]
Information extracted from records within my Department indicates that the total number of qualified primary permanent and temporary teachers in service on 10 June 1996 was 20,897.
I accept that, in the current year, there is a shortage of trained teachers at primary level. However, I am satisfied that the present difficulties are of a temporary nature only.
Since I took office I have increased substantially the number of entrants into the colleges of education each year. In January 1995 I introduced a special 18 month post-graduate course for 180 students in the colleges of education. All this will mean that a total of over 600 newly-qualified teachers will be available for employment in schools this September, 335 more than last year.
The initiative, combined with the projected reduction in overall pupil enrolments at primary level — from over 478,000 at present to approximately 444,000 in 1998-99 — will alleviate the current difficulties.
The total teacher allocation at second level in the current year is 23,263 wholetime teacher equivalents. I can assure the Deputy that the vast majority of these teachers are fully qualified.
