Terence Flanagan
Question:81. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding teaching posts (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51955/12]
View answerThursday, 22 November 2012
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Written answers
Teaching resources are allocated to schools on a school year basis. Unlike most other areas of the public service teaching vacancies are being filled in accordance with published Department criteria.
The number of teaching posts that we can afford to fund in schools in the coming years is a matter that I will have to consider with my colleagues in Cabinet in the context of budgetary requirements and meeting our obligations under the EU/IMF Programme. The challenge will be to ensure that the resources that can be provided are used to maximum effect to achieve the best possible outcome for pupils.
Circular 31/2011 details a cascade of measures for recruitment of teachers, prioritising unemployed registered teachers over retired registered teachers and registered teachers over unregistered persons. Also in October last year my Department issued circular 46/2011 which permits schools to participate in JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme.
It is in the public interest that there is an adequate supply of qualified teachers. However, even with the best possible systems in place, securing equilibrium between demand and supply is not an exact science, and is subject to quite a number of variables. Recent developments, such as the EU rules on mutual recognition of qualifications, have also meant that supply is more difficult to control and predict.
I intend to explore the matter of teacher supply further with the HEA, the Teaching Council, and the initial teacher education providers, as appropriate.