Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 1

Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.

Paul McGrath

Question:

666 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made regarding the proposed extension to Sonna national school, County Westmeath; if an application has been received; the stage at which this development is at; the estimated completion date for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12117/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

My Department has received an application from the management authorities of Sonna national school, County Westmeath, for grant aid towards additional accommodation.

It is not possible at this point to give any indication as to the timetable for the provision of the accommodation.

Paul McGrath

Question:

667 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made regarding the proposed extension to Gainstown national school, County Westmeath, if an application has been received; the stage at which this development is at; the estimated completion date for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12118/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

My Department has received an application from the management authorities of Gainstown national school, County Westmeath, for grant aid towards additional accommodation.

It is not possible at this point to give any indication as to when architectural planning will be initiated.

John V. Farrelly

Question:

668 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of unqualified teachers in primary schools here; if he is satisfied that the level of experience that these teachers have is adequate to meet the guidelines and criteria laid down by his Department; if not, the steps he is taking to resolve this problem and to ensure that children are taught by professionals; the numbers of children involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12119/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

There are currently 649 persons paid at the unqualified rate on the payroll for primary teachers, who are teaching in a temporary capacity in primary schools.

I am concerned about the number of untrained personnel currently employed in primary schools. The difficulties in obtaining fully qualified teachers has arisen because of two main factors: this Government has increased demand for teachers generally by the creation of 2,315 posts to reduce the pupil – teacher ratio and to increase support for children with a disability or disadvantage; the number of trained teachers graduating from our training colleges had fallen to a very low level, for example, 291 graduated in 1995.

The Government has taken effective action to boost substantially the supply of trained primary teachers and alleviate these difficulties.

The total intake to the colleges of education for primary teaching in the 1999-2000 academic year was increased to 1,283. This compares with an intake of 500 in 1996-97.

There are approximately 1,000 students again enrolled in the first year of the undergraduate training course in the 2000-2001 academic year. A further post graduate course commenced in February this year with an intake of 280 students, bringing the total to 1,280.

The intake to the undergraduate training course for primary teachers will continue at the current level of 1,000 for the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 academic years. Discussions are taking place with the colleges of education to provide a further post graduate course next year.

Between the 2000 and 2001 academic years it is projected that approximately 1,900 qualified primary teachers will graduate from the colleges of education. This represents a huge increase in the number of trained graduates as compared with 1995 when 291 graduated.

Other initiatives to increase the number of trained personnel have also been introduced. Bachelor of Education graduates of St. Mary's College, Belfast, who have studied Irish to honours level as an academic subject as part of their teaching qualification are now recognised as fully qualified.

Since September 1998, all primary degree holders who hold the higher diploma in education are paid as fully trained substitute teachers. In the current academic year teachers employed in a temporary capacity holding a degree and the higher diploma in education are paid on the trained basic scale for teachers.

Teachers trained in EU countries employed in primary schools are now remunerated at the trained rate pending their obtaining the necessary competence in the Irish language. EU trained teachers now have up to five years to obtain the necessary competence in the language. In addition, for the period of two years from 1 September 2000, teachers trained outside the EU whose qualifications are accepted by my Department will be granted provisional recognition for five years on the same basis as EU trained teachers.

Montessori trained teachers who successfully completed the full time course of three years duration at St. Nicholas's, Dún Laoghaire, which is recognised by the National Council for Educational Awards, or the Montessori qualification which is awarded on completion of the three year full time course in the AMI College, are recognised as being fully qualified substitute teachers and are recognised to teach in certain categories of special schools and classes.

The decision to recognise fully-qualified teachers who trained outside the State to teach in certain categories of schools and classes without the necessity to hold an Irish language qualification is also contributing to an improvement in the supply of trained primary teachers.

There are currently 959 permanent teachers in primary schools on career break. A teacher seeking a career break must apply to the board of management of the school for approval. In considering the application the board of management should take cognisance of the availability of a fully qualified replacement teacher.

The information regarding the number of children who are taught by unqualified teachers is not available.

Question No. 669 answered with Question No. 635.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

670 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has to provide a new post-primary school in the Donabate area of County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12168/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

My Department has no plans at present to provide a post-primary school in Donabate. Pupils from this area currently attend post-primary schools in neighbouring areas such as Swords, Rush and Malahide.

My information from Fingal County Council is that the development plan for Donabate is under way and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. When this plan is to hand, a comprehensive review of the area's needs will be carried out, taking account of all relevant factors, including housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet anticipated demand. On completion of the review, a decision on the need for a post-primary school in Donabate will be made.