Richard Bruton
Question:232 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the estimated demographic dividend of teachers at primary and secondary levels which will emerge in 2000. [5664/00]
Written Answers. - Teaching Posts.
At second level, subject specialisation, retirement patterns and limited redeployment capacity effectively ensure that there is no demographic dividend at this level.
In the case of secondary schools which have on their staff over-quota permanent teachers, a retention ratio of 18:1 will be applied. The impact of this is that schools will be allowed to retain teachers who might have been placed on the redeployment panel. At primary level the number of posts arising from the demographic dividend is under examination and discussion with the education partners at present.
The Deputy will be aware, of course, that an additional 200 posts will be created at primary level next year, primarily to tackle educational disadvantage. Furthermore, under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, an additional 900 primary teachers will be appointed in the course of the next few years.