Vol. 492 No. 7
40 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps, if any, being taken to reduce the reliance on the use of unqualified substitute teachers at primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14984/98]
65 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to reduce the severe staffing shortages in primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15009/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 65 together.
The whole issue of primary teacher supply is currently the subject of a review within my Department. All matters pertaining to this issue are being examined as part of this review.
It is expected that the review will be concluded in the near future at which time I will announce my plans for increasing the supply of trained primary teachers.
I would take this opportunity to remind the Deputies that over 600 newly qualified primary teachers will graduate this year. Over the following two years, a further 1,100 newly trained teachers are due to graduate, resulting in more than 1,700 newly trained teachers becoming available in the period from June 1998 to June 2000.
My recent decision to recognise fully qualified teachers who trained outside the State to teach in certain categories of schools and classes without the necessity to hold an Irish language qualification will also contribute to an improvement in the supply of trained primary teachers, as will my recent announcement that graduates of St. Mary's College, Belfast, who have Irish as an academic subject as part of their teaching qualification, will be recognised as fully qualified to teach in primary schools in this State.
My additional plans for increasing the supply of trained teachers are likely to include the provision of further post-graduate training courses and an increase in the number of students admitted to the colleges of education in the coming years. Further linkages with St. Mary's College, Belfast are also being pursued.
Finally, I intend also to announce details of plans to increase specifically the supply of trained substitute teachers.
