Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 2

Written Answers. - Primary School Teachers.

Derek McDowell

Question:

31 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of males and females that have qualified as primary teachers in each of the past ten years; the trends, if any, there are; the reason for these trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3593/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The date requested by the Deputy are given in the table below:

Year	Males	Females	Total	Proportion of males in total
				%
1990	95	440	535	18
1991	37	223	260	14
1992	35	234	269	13
1993	24	275	299	8
1994	31	243	274	11
1995	36	291	327	11
1996	60	367	427	14

Note: Data for the years 1987 and 1989 are not readily available.

My Department has recently commissioned research into the question of the gender imbalance in second level entry to the colleges of education.