Vol. 502 No. 3
65 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to ensure the availability of trained teaching staff to provide cover in the event of sickness or maternity leave; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by some large schools; the plans, if any, he has to address this issue as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7802/99]
Since coming into office, I have been concerned to address the issue of substitution within the primary school system.
For these reasons, I have introduced a range of measures designed to boost substantially the supply of trained primary teachers. Specifically, I have ensured that there are over 1,000 places available in the colleges of education during the current academic year. This includes 730 students who will pursue the three year B.Ed degree programme while 280 degree holders will be admitted to an 18 month full time post graduate course.
Additionally, B.Ed graduates of St. Mary's College, Belfast who have studied Irish to honours level as an academic subject as part of their teaching qualification will be recognised as fully trained.
I am also examining the possibility of the University of Limerick providing a one year conversion course for degree holders, who hold the higher diploma in education and who have either Irish as part of their degree or have Irish to grade C at the leaving certificate or its equivalent.
I have further decided that from 1 September 1998, all primary degree holders who also hold the higher diploma in education are recognised as fully trained for the purposes of providing substitution service.
Finally, montessori trained teachers who successfully completed the course of three years duration at St. Nicholas, Dún Laoghaire, and which is recognised by the National Council for Educational Awards, are granted recognition as fully trained substitutes since 1 September 1998. The appointment of substitutes to replace second level teachers absent on approved leave, including sick leave or maternity leave, is a matter in the first instance for the authorities of the schools concerned.
While on occasion individual school authorities may experience difficulties in securing a teacher qualified in a specific subject area, I am satisfied that, in general, qualified second level teachers are appointed as substitutes in second level schools.
