Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Nov 2002

Vol. 558 No. 2

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Jack Wall

Question:

160 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the major problems school principals are having obtaining teaching staff; if his attention has been further drawn to the discrepancy regarding untrained teachers and special needs assistants as to the difference of salary of ?3,000; if he will investigate this matter and have it rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24012/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey): I am aware that some schools are experiencing difficulties in the recruitment of fully qualified teachers.

A range of initiatives to improve teacher supply have been introduced. 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 undergraduate B Ed programme. This represents a doubling of the number admitted to the programme in 1996.

The annual 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 the 1996-97 year. Some 3,460 students are enrolled and pursuing various stages of primary teacher training programmes in the colleges of education.

A further postgraduate course will commence in early 2003 with a projected intake of 461 students. My Department will also consult the colleges in the near future regarding the provision of modular type courses for secondary trained teachers with the necessary academic requirement in Irish.

Between 2002 and 2003 it is projected that some 2,700 qualified primary teachers will graduate from the colleges of education. This represents a huge increase in the number of trained graduates compared with 1995 when 291 graduated. These measures will help to alleviate the teacher shortage.

Salary scales for different categories of workers are based on the specific duties and responsibilities of the grade and the conditions of service, all of which are taken into account in determining salary. Pay rates and conditions of service are determined through negotiations with staff side representatives.

Questions Nos. 161 to 164, inclusive, answered with Question No. 156.

Jack Wall

Question:

165 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the problems created by the loss of community employment workers in primary schools, particularly in a school (details supplied) in County Kildare which will now have one cleaner as opposed to five when the school had community employment workers; if he will provide the essential funding to ensure this school, which has nine temporary classrooms and the main building, will have proper and adequate cleaning personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24017/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey):

My Department has agreed with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and FÁS that all school based CE participants with a legitimate expectation of up to three years participation in a school based CE scheme will be facilitated to complete their full term. This adjustment to the phasing out of CE schemes in schools means that certain CE participants may be entitled to continue working on CE in schools up to and including 2004 depending on their individual circumstances and entitlements under CE. This adjustment should also ensure that the withdrawal of CE schemes takes place on a more gradual basis and therefore reduce the immediate impact on schools.

As the Deputy is probably aware the money that has been transferred to this Department from FÁS has been used, in the main, to put in place a scheme of ancillary services grants for primary schools which are not already receiving grant aid for secretarial and caretaker services under my Department's 1978-79 scheme. Scoil Míchil Naofa is already in receipt of funding for the employment of a full time secretary and caretaker under the 1978-79 scheme. I am aware, however, that the phasing out of CE schemes may result in some schools experiencing certain difficulties. In this regard, a sum of approximately €2.5 million has been set aside in 2002 to respond to the particular difficulties that may be experienced by some schools. My Department has engaged a firm of consultants to examine the transitional difficulties that may be experienced by schools losing the CE personnel and to consider how those adverse effects might be ameliorated.