James Leonard
Ceist:31 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Education if she proposes to discontinue, in all instances possible, the provision of temporary school buildings in view of their short life span. [9406/96]
Written Answers. - Temporary School Buildings.
The question of discontinuing the provision of temporary school buildings is not being considered by my Department at present. Temporary accommodation is provided mainly as a result of a short-term increase in pupil enrolments or where it is evident that enrolments will decrease in the longer term despite a temporary shortage of classroom space. In such circumstances, temporary accommodation in the form of prefabricated buildings is considerably less costly than the building of permanent classrooms. Prefabricated accommodation can be provided at very short notice and it can also be transferred to alternative locations when it is no longer required at one particular school.
Denis Foley
Ceist:33 Mr. Foley asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider the application of the quota system to places on Higher Diploma in Education programmes in universities with a view to increasing the number of places available and meeting the present and future needs of schools for teachers in specific subject areas. [9520/96]
Michael Ahern
Ceist:40 Mr. M. Ahern asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider the application of the quota system to places on Higher Diploma in Education programmes in universities with a view to increasing the number of places available and meeting the present and future needs of schools for teachers in specific subject areas. [9525/96]
David Andrews
Ceist:43 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider the application of the quota system to places on Higher Diploma in Education programmes in universities with a view to increasing the number of places available and meeting the present and future needs of schools for teachers in specific subject areas. [9526/96]
Tony Killeen
Ceist:50 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider the application of the quota system to places on Higher Diploma in Education programmes in universities with a view to increasing the number of places available and meeting the present and future needs of schools for teachers in specific subject areas. [9529/96]
Micheál Martin
Ceist:51 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider the application of the quota system to places on Higher Diploma in Education programmes in universities with a view to increasing the number of places available and meeting the present and future needs of schools for teachers in specific subject areas. [9519/96]
Chris Flood
Ceist:54 Mr. Flood asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider the application of the quota system to places on Higher Diploma in Education programmes in universities with a view to increasing the number of places available and meeting the present and future needs of schools for teachers in specific subject areas. [9530/96]
John O'Leary
Ceist:60 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider the application of the quota system to places on Higher Diploma in Education programmes in universities with a view to increasing the number of places available and meeting the present and future needs of schools for teachers in specific subject areas. [9521/96]
Joe Walsh
Ceist:66 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider the application of the quota system to places on Higher Diploma in Education programmes in universities with a view to increasing the number of places available and meeting the present and future needs of schools for teachers in specific subject areas. [9527/96]
Donal Moynihan
Ceist:67 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider the application of the quota system to places on Higher Diploma in Education programmes in universities with a view to increasing the number of places available and meeting the present and future needs of schools for teachers in specific subject areas. [9523/96]
John O'Donoghue
Ceist:70 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider the application of the quota system to places on Higher Diploma in Education programmes in universities with a view to increasing the number of places available and meeting the present and future needs of schools for teachers in specific subject areas. [9522/96]
Ned O'Keeffe
Ceist:72 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider the application of the quota system to places on Higher Diploma in Education programmes in universities with a view to increasing the number of places available and meeting the present and future needs of schools for teachers in specific subject areas. [9524/96]
Síle de Valera
Ceist:78 Miss de Valera asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider the application of the quota system to places on Higher Diploma in Education programmes in universities with a view to increasing the number of places available and meeting the present and future needs of schools for teachers in specific subject areas. [9528/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 40, 43, 50, 51, 54, 60, 66, 67, 70, 72 and 78 together. The current quota of 800 for admissions to the Higher Diploma in Education was set on the basis of a recommendation by the Higher Education Authority. The HEA's advice was based on recommendations of a working group composed of representatives of the universities, the Department of Education and the authority. The working group took account of the best available data on the demand for second level teachers. I do not propose to alter the quota for the 1996-97 academic year. However, the working group will be reconvened shortly supported by an analyst and statistician to undertake an in-depth review of needs for second-level teachers, in total and to the extent feasible by subject grouping. It will take account of any recent changes in the demand for second-level teachers. The quota arrangements for 1997 will be determined in the light of the findings of the working group. Deputies will also be aware that I announced last week I will be introducing a further post-graduate course for the training of primary teachers. The present post-graduate course, which ends in June 1996, provided for 180 graduates.