Vol. 506 No. 6
106 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers who have resigned or retired in 1999; the corresponding figure for each of the previous five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16080/99]
A total of 311 primary teacher retirements have been processed to date in 1999.
Corresponding figures for the past five years are as follows: 1998, 556; 1997, 574; 1996, 413; 1995, 405; 1994, 379.My Department does not maintain records of the number of teachers who resign each year.
The impact of the early retirement scheme for primary teachers which was introduced in 1996 is reflected in the figures outlined above.
107 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science the average number of substitute teachers required on any given day in primary schools; the steps, if any, taken by his Department to assist schools to organise substitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16081/99]
The average number of substitute teachers required daily in primary schools is 920.
The appointment of substitutes to replace teachers who are absent on approved leave, including sick leave and maternity leave, is a matter in the first instance for the authorities of the schools concerned.
Since coming into office, I have been concerned to address the issue of substitution within the primary system. I am aware that some schools experience difficulties in recruiting trained substitute teachers due to a shortage of available trained personnel. For these reasons I have introduced a range of measures designed to boost substantially the supply of trained primary teachers.
In addition to ensuring that there were over 1,000 places available in the colleges of education in the current academic year which is up from 500 in 1997, I have also decided that recognition as trained teachers be extended to 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.
