Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 19 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 4

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

109 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teaching days at primary level undertaken by untrained teachers each of the years 1998 and 1999; the number of days worked by similar personnel at second level for the same periods; his views on the fact that so many children are being taught by those without the required qualification; the steps being taken to reduce the use of personnel without teaching qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11739/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

The information requested in relation to primary level will be forwarded to the Deputy.

The information in relation to the number of untrained teachers employed in second level schools is not available. It is Department policy that, in as far as is possible second level teachers should teach the subjects in which they are qualified.

A range of measures has been introduced to boost substantially the supply of trained primary teachers.

The intake of trainee primary teachers to the colleges of education was increased substantially in the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 sessions. The total projected intake in the 1999-2000 academic year is 1,283 compared with an intake of 500 in 1996-97.

Between the 2000 and 2001 academic years it is projected that approximately 1,900 newly trained teachers shall graduate from the colleges of education. This represents a huge increase in the number of trained graduates as compared with 1995 when 291 graduated. I would like to place on record my appreciation of the co-operation of the colleges of education in achieving this increase.

A number of other initiatives to reduce the number of untrained personnel have also been introduced. 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 are now recognised as fully qualified.

Since September 1998, all primary degree holders who hold the higher diploma in education are paid as fully trained substitute teachers and in the current academic year those with grade C honours in the leaving certificate are paid at the trained rate when employed in a temporary capacity.

Teachers trained in EU countries employed in primary schools are now remunerated at the trained rate pending their obtaining the necessary competence in the Irish language. EU trained teachers previously had to acquire the necessary competence in the Irish language within three years of their first appointment to a primary school. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that EU trained teachers now have up to five years to obtain the necessary competence in the language.

Montessori trained teachers who successfully completed the course of three years duration at St. Nicholas, Dun Laoghaire, which is recognised by the National Council for Educational Awards are also recognised as being fully qualified substitute teachers.

The 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 is also contributing to an improvement in the supply of trained primary teachers.