Michael Ring
Question:425 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on increasing the intake of students into colleges of education in order that there will be sufficient teachers to reduce class size. [18515/98]
Vol. 494 No. 4
425 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on increasing the intake of students into colleges of education in order that there will be sufficient teachers to reduce class size. [18515/98]
426 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on increasing the intake of students into colleges of education in order that there will be sufficient teachers to give a second teacher to one teacher schools. [18516/98]
427 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on increasing the intake of students into colleges of education in order that there will be sufficient teachers to provide a proper remedial service. [18517/98]
428 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on increasing the intake of students into colleges of education in order that there would be sufficient teachers to allow for the appointment of an administrative principal to schools of six teachers and over. [18518/98]
429 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on increasing the intake of students into colleges of education in order that there will be sufficient teachers to allow for substitute supply panels on a countrywide basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18519/98]
I intend to take Questions Nos. 425, 426, 427, 428 and 429 together.
On my appointment as Minister, I immediately recognised the need to increase the supply of trained teachers. Accordingly, last autumn, I increased the intake into graduate courses by 200.
I have continued this process in the current year by increasing the intake to the colleges of education to over 1,000 places. I intend to continue with this process for the next number of years.
I also introduced a range of measures which are designed to boost the supply of trained teachers including the recognition of 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. Additionally, I have agreed that B.Ed. graduates from St. Mary's College in Belfast will be recognised as fully qualified teachers provided that they have studied Irish to honours level as an academic subject as part of their teaching qualification.
Discussions have also commenced with the University of Limerick with a view to providing a one year course for primary degree holders who hold the higher diploma in education and who either have Irish as a final subject in their degree or have honours in Irish at leaving certificate level or its equivalent.
430 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that a special school place is found for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18546/98]
I understand that the child in question has recently been offered a place in a special school. My Department is currently awaiting confirmation from the child's mother that the proposed placement is acceptable.