asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the concern within the teacher training colleges at the absence of career opportunities for young unemployed trained teachers; the proposals she has in this regard, that is, through a reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio or otherwise to offer hope to these unemployed teachers.
Written Answers. - Unemployed Trained Teachers.
294.
In order to minimise the employment difficulties for new graduates following the change in the arrangements governing the staffing of national schools, a voluntary redundancy-early retirement scheme was introduced enabling 374 teachers to leave the service, and it was also agreed that vacancies as temporary replacements for teachers leaving the service on career breaks would not have to be filled through redeployment, thus enabling new graduates to apply for these posts. Some 450 teachers availed of career breaks this year.
Newly qualified teachers may also be employed as substitutes for teachers absent on sick leave, maternity leave, etc. and there are some 800 substitutes employed in national schools on any school day. In addition, it has been agreed that the pupil-teacher ratio will be improved in September 1990, and there will be regular reviews thereafter in the light of available resources. My Department have also taken steps to reduce substantially the intake of students into the colleges of education.