I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 77 together.
In 1997, the total number of days that untrained personnel worked within primary schools amounted to 109,000. The corresponding figure for 1998 was 139,858. The information requested in relation to second level is not available in my Department. However, I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department's policy is that, as far as practicable, second level teachers should be qualified in the subjects which they are teaching.
Since coming into office, I have been concerned at the large number of untrained personnel working within the primary school system. For these reasons, I have introduced a range of measures which are designated to boost substantially the supply of trained primary teachers. Specifically, I have ensured that the intake of trainee primary teachers to the colleges of education in 1998-9 was increased to over 1,000. This includes 748 students who will pursue the three year B. Ed degree programme, while 280 degree holders have been admitted to an 18 month full-time post-graduate training course. Additionally, B. Ed. graduates of St. Mary's College, Belfast, who have studied Irish to honours level as an academic subject as part of their teaching qualification will be recognised as fully trained.
