Trevor Sargent
Question:132 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science the targets set for the supply of additional primary and secondary teachers over the next six years. [23505/01]
Written Answers. - School Staffing.
The Deputy will be aware that there are a number of factors that affect the demand for teachers. These include the number of teachers opting to take career breaks, the number of secondments approved and the age at which teachers opt to retire on a voluntary basis. The creation of additional posts in a particular school year and the retention of posts arising through the allocation of the demographic dividend also affect the demand for teachers.
My Department reviews the enrolment projections for schools and the factors affecting the demand for teaching posts on a regular basis and endeavours to ensure that the supply of teachers available meets the demand. I am pleased to inform the Deputy the Government has substantially boosted the supply of trained primary teachers since taking office.
The total intake to the colleges of education for primary teaching in the 2000-01 academic year was 1,282. 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 2001-02 academic year. Subject to agreement with the colleges of education it is planned to have a further postgraduate course, with a proposed intake of at least 280 students, commencing early in 2002.
It is projected that the intake to the undergraduate training course for primary teachers will continue at the current level of 1,000 for the foreseeable future.
With regard to second level, I am aware of the survey undertaken by the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland, which indicated that some second level schools had experienced difficulties in recruiting qualified teachers. However, my Department is not aware of any second level school that has not filled its approved teacher allocation for the current school year.
The teacher supply and demand issue at second level is very complex. Analyses undertaken by my Department in 1997 indicated that there are regional and subject variations. Schools in certain locations have more difficulties in recruitment while specific subjects may pose particular difficulties. A further complicating factor is that vacancies in second level schools usually require specific subject combinations.
The total number of places on the higher diploma in education course has increased by 25% since 1997-98, to 1,000 places currently. My Department is continuing to review the supply and demand for second level teachers on an ongoing basis.