Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 6 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 2

Written Answers. - Gender Balance in Primary Teacing.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

463 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education the numbers of males and females expected to qualify as primary teachers in each of the next three years; and if she considers it necessary, in the light of these figures, to introduce gender balance to ensure a better representation of male teachers in primary schools.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The number of male and female primary teachers expected to qualify in each of the next three years is as follows:

	Male	Female
1994	36	234
1995	38	273
1996	68	356

The figures for 1996 are provisional pending registration of the 1993 entrants.

I am happy to note that the proportion of male entrants to the Colleges of Education has increased this year, and that this will be reflected in the 1996 graduation figures. While I welcome this trend, and hope that it will continue, it would not be appropriate for me to discriminate between male and female applicants.