Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 May 2000

Vol. 520 No. 1

Written Answers. - Teaching Qualifications.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

388 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans if any he has to address the fact that there are 400 less applicants for the higher diploma in education this year; his views, if any, on whether this will result in a crisis in the availability of teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15160/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The higher diploma in education programme is offered by the four universities of the National University of Ireland at Dublin, Cork, Galway and Maynooth and by Trinity College Dublin. Since 1999, the four universities of the NUI have operated a centralised applications system for entry to the higher diploma in education programmes. Applications continue to be made directly to the college in the case of Trinity College Dublin.

The following table shows the number of applicants in 1999 and 2000, the number of places available in 2000 and the ratio of applicants to places:

	1999	2000	2000	Ratio of Applications to Places
	Applications	Applications	Places
NUI Universities	2,456	1,892	870	2.17
TCD	800	500	130	3.84

As the Deputy can see from the figures supplied, there are at least two candidates for each place on offer. While there has been some decline in the number of applications for places on the higher diploma in education programmes, this will not affect the availability of teachers.