Bernard Allen
Ceist:30 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has assessed the INTO projections of future teacher needs; his views on these projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15019/98]
Written Answers. - Primary Teachers.
The INTO has proposed that 800 students should be admitted to the colleges of education annually for the next number of years to increase the supply of trained teachers at primary level. It is important to note that this figure includes teachers required to fill a range of new posts which the INTO wishes created.
The whole issue of primary teacher supply is currently the subject of a review within my Department. All matters pertaining to this issue, including the INTO estimates, are being examined as part of this review. It is expected that the review will be concluded in the near future at which time I will announce my plans for increasing the supply of trained primary teachers.
I remind the Deputy that over 600 newly qualified primary teachers will graduate this year. Over the following two years, a further 1,100 newly trained teachers are due to graduate, resulting in more than 1,700 newly trained teachers becoming available in the period from June 1998 to June 2000.
My recent decision to recognise fully qualified teachers who trained outside the State to teach in certain categories of schools and classes without the necessity to hold an Irish language qualification will also contribute to an improvement in the supply of trained primary teachers, as will my recent announcement that graduates of St. Mary's College, Belfast, who have Irish as an academic subject as part of their teaching qualification, will be recognised as fully qualified to teach in primary schools in this State.
My additional plans for increasing the supply of trained teachers are likely to include the provision of further post-graduate training courses and an increase in the number of students admitted to the colleges of education in the coming years. Further linkages with St. Mary's College, Belfast, are also being pursued.
I intend also to announce details of plans to increase the supply of trained substitute teachers. I am confident that these measures will be more than sufficient to eliminate the shortage of trained teachers.