Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Gerry Reynolds

Question:

686 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps he intends to take to ensure there will be sufficient qualified teachers to fill the positions becoming vacant in national schools, in view of the fact that many schools are left with unqualified teachers indefinitely. [11277/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I am aware that a number of primary schools are experiencing some difficulties in recruiting qualified teachers. The Government has taken effective action to boost substantially the supply of trained primary teachers and alleviate the current supply difficulties. As part of a range of initiatives to improve teacher supply, the intake to the B Ed programme in the colleges of education has been increased dramatically in recent years. Since 1999 more than 1,000 students have been admitted annually to the B Ed programme. This represents a doubling of the number admitted to the programme in 1996. The total intake to the colleges of education in the 2001-02 academic year was increased to a record 1,461. This compares with an intake of 500 in 1996-97. There are currently some 3,750 students enrolled and pursuing various stages of primary teacher training programmes in the colleges of education. The number of places made available on the graduate diploma courses since 1997 is 1,453. Between 2001 and 2002 it is projected that some 2,300 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. 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. Since September 2000, 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, Dun 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.