(Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Education (a) the number of primary teachers trained in the years 1985/86, 1986/87, 1987/88 and 1988/89 and the number of these teachers who were appointed to permanent posts on 30 September 1989 and (b) the number of primary teachers due to retire on age grounds on 30 June 1990 and 30 June 1991 or during the 1989/90 and 1990/91 school year, if more appropriate.
Written Answers. - Primary School Teachers.
22.
When I took office in 1987 there were 1,733 students attending the colleges of education, there are now 1,090. In the light of the demographic trends I revised the numbers that should be recruited to the colleges of education. In 1987 the number recruited to the colleges was 533 whereas the number recruited in 1988 and in 1989 was 275.
The full impact of the limitation on recruitment will not be evident until 1991 because of the three year cycle between recruitment and graduation.
The information requested is as follows: (a)
|
Year |
Number of primary teachers trained |
|
1985/86 |
636 |
|
1986/87 |
584 |
|
1987/88 |
589 |
|
1988/89 |
575 |
My Department will continue to monitor the situation in the future and will make decisions on recruitment levels in the light of the evidence that is available to it.
It is not possible to give the information regarding the number of those teachers appointed to permanent posts as my Department would not be aware of the number of teachers who have been appointed to posts in private schools, post abroad or those who have furthered their careers in other areas of employment.
(b) The number of primary teachers due to retire on age grounds on 30 June 1990 and 30 June 1991 is 56, and 78 respectively.
In the 1988-89 school years a total of 758 left the primary teaching profession for various reasons.