Vol. 513 No. 4
239 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if the competition for conversion course for degree holders to take up primary education teaching has been readvertised in spite of 4,000 interviews already having been held since the original closing date for the competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2819/00]
The closing date for receipt of applications for the post-graduate course for primary teaching which is due to commence in February 2000 was extended by over two weeks. The decision to extend the closing date was made on the basis that, due to the intervention of the Christmas holiday period, all interested applicants may not have had an opportunity to apply for the course by the original closing date. The extension of the closing date was widely advertised.
The information which my Department has received from the colleges of education is that just over 600 applicants were interviewed following the initial closing date. A total of approximately 160 additional applications have been received following the extended closing date.
