asked the Minister for Education if he will state (a) the number of new training colleges needed to implement the Council of Education's recommendation to reduce the size of classes in national schools to 30 pupils per class, (b) the number of new training colleges at present under construction, and (c) the number it is intended to build in the next four years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Teachers' Training Colleges.
The question of future requirements in respect of training of teachers is under consideration by the Department in relation to such factors as the recommendations of the Council of Education, the present position in regard to untrained teachers, future enrolment trends, and taking into account the additional facilities already provided. Until the examination of the matter is completed it will not be possible to say what the future requirements may be.
The Minister has had a year now. Surely he is in a position now to say what steps he proposes to take to deal with this very serious question of the number of untrained teachers, the shortage of teachers coming to the training colleges and the amount of wastage which takes place each year? This means, on present rates of production, the percentage of untrained teachers must continue and in the foreseeable future there can be no reduction in the size of classes to the average of 30 recommended by the Council of Education unless some device is adopted, such as that suggested by Deputy Dillon of allowing the married teachers to come back. Surely the Minister must have clarified his mind in a year?
We have had long speeches——
Surely it arises out of this question?
These are questions asking for facts. What may be deduced from the answers is surely a separate matter.
I want to ask for a fact arising out of these facts. Is the Minister going to reinstate the married women teachers?
That is a separate matter.
I am advocating nothing. I just want to know——
Certain facts were asked for by the Deputy who put down the question. Deputy Dillon made certain deductions from these. That is a separate matter.
I am not deducing anything. I am asking for another fact.
Yes, but it is not relevant to the question on the Paper.
If it is not, I do not know what is.
In reply to Deputy Dr. Browne's supplementary, there have been, in fact, 281 additional places created in the training colleges over the past three years. As well as that, the question of providing additional facilities is under consideration.
The Minister has been there a year now. What is he doing?
Order!
They ought to make Deputy Dr. Browne a dictator. Perhaps he might get on with the job then.
You made him a member of your National Executive.
Order!
If the Deputy were less aggressive, he might get a more reasonable reply.
I am quite satisfied. I did not expect anything better from the Minister.
Question No. 47.