Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2016
167. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are any subject areas in which there is currently a shortage of teachers with sufficient competence to teach to a high standard; the steps his Department has taken to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29732/16]
View answerThe attention of my Department has been brought to reported shortages in certain subject areas, such as Home Economics. However, comprehensive data on teacher supply and demand in specific subject areas is not available to my Department.
The Deputy will note that one of the goals in the recently published Action Plan for Education is to develop the continuum of teacher education, including strengthening workforce planning with improved planning of teacher supply. My Department considers it important that the supply of teachers with the required qualifications should meet demand at both primary and post primary levels. Accordingly, the Teaching Council was requested to consider the matter of teacher supply with a view to developing better forecasting methods to ensure an adequate supply of teachers with the necessary qualifications. The Council has provided its advice and report, and the Department is currently considering the report’s recommendations with a view to implementation where appropriate.
