Vol. 490 No. 2
309 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will amend the entry qualifications for the bachelor of education degree programme in order that persons who do not have leaving certificate honours Irish can be admitted in view of the shortage of qualified primary teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10059/98]
The Irish language requirement has no bearing on the issue of the supply of qualified teachers from the colleges of education. Many candidates with a grade C or better in higher level Irish at the leaving certificate examination apply for entry to primary teacher training each year and are unable to gain admission due to the intensity of competition for places. Consequently I have no plans to amend the minimum entry requirements to primary teacher training in the area referred to by the Deputy.
Urgent discussions are already under way between my Department, the Higher Education Authority and the colleges of education in order to achieve a significant increase in the intake to primary teacher training with effect from this September.
