Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Feb 2001

Vol. 529 No. 3

Written Answers. - Higher Education Graduates.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

26 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the measures he is taking to address the consistently high number of diploma in higher education graduates who, according to the Higher Education Authority first destination reports, are not teaching here in their first year following graduation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2761/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The Higher Education Authority undertakes an annual survey of the first destinations of award recipients in higher education in April of the year following graduation. Details of the survey responses from H.Dip. graduates from 1996 to 1999 are set out in the table.

	Year %
First Destination.	1996	1997	1998	1999*
Permanent Teaching in Ireland	3.8	3.0	6.1	5.1
Part-time, Temporary or Substitute Teaching in Ireland	56.9	56.2	51.4	61.2
Other Work	8.9	8.9	6.4	7.0
Teaching Abroad	12.0	19.5	21.2	11.1
Further Study or Other Training	10.4	6.7	6.1	9.5
Not Available for Employment	2.8	2.0	2.6	2.7
Seeking Employment	5.1	3.7	6.1	3.4

*Figures for 1999 are taken from the preliminary findings of the First Destinations of Award Recipients in Higher Education (1999) and are subject to final verification.

As can be seen from the table, the most recent figures available indicate that in 1999, 5.1% of the respondents reported that they had secured permanent teaching posts in Ireland while a further 61.2% indicated that they were engaged in part-time, temporary or substitute teaching in Ireland. The combined total involved in teaching in Ireland of 66.3% represents an increase of 8.8 percentage points compared to the 1998 total and is above the average proportion for the previous decade of 60%.

I can assure that Deputy that the position on supply and demand for second level teachers has been and will remain the subject of ongoing review by my Department in consultation with the Higher Education Authority and the universities.