Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 2

Written Answers - School Staffing.

Seamus Kirk

Question:

470 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Science if consideration will be given to an application for the appointment of a resource teacher to schools (details supplied) in the Cooley Peninsula area, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13757/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The needs of the schools in question were brought to my attention during my recent visit to the Cooley Peninsula. I have asked my Department's inspectorate to carry out an urgent review of the needs of children attending these schools in order that any additional resource teacher support which may be required can be put in place. Once the inspectorate has reported, my Department will be in touch with the school authorities.

Question No. 471 answered with Question No. 452.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

472 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science the action which has been taken on the flight of trained teachers from schools designated as disadvantaged; and the steps which are being taken to alleviate the problems relating to retention of staff being experienced by a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13768/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

A primary teacher is employed by the board of management of a school. I am aware of the difficulties that some primary schools are experiencing in recruiting fully qualified teachers. Many of these teachers hold university degrees. The present Government has taken effective action to boost substantially the supply of trained primary teachers and alleviate difficulties with the shortage of qualified teachers. The total intake to the colleges of education for primary teaching in the 1999-00 academic year was increased to 1,283. This compares with an intake of 500 in 1996-97. There are approximately 1,000 student teachers again enrolled in the first year of the undergraduate training course in the 2000-01 academic year. A further postgraduate 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 2001-02 and 2002-03 academic years. In addition, negotiations are taking place with the colleges of education for the provision of a further postgraduate course next year. Between the 2000 and 2001 academic years it is projected that approximately 1,900 qualified primary teachers will graduate from our 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. 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, 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, 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.