Vol. 485 No. 2
376 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of days worked by substitute teachers, both qualified and unqualified, on a county basis in primary schools for the school year 1996/1997 and to date on the 1997/1998 school year; the steps, if any, he will take to deal with the shortage of qualified primary substitute teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23051/97]
The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled from records with my Department and will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.
A number of measures have been taken in recent years to increase the supply of trained primary teachers. These include arrangements for the provisional recognition of EU qualified teachers, an increase in the number of students admitted to colleges of education, and the provision of post graduate courses in colleges of education.
Additionally, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that in January 1998 a further 30 permanent supply teachers will be employed in schools in 11 locations throughout the country.
