John Perry
Ceist:163 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a teacher with a secondary level qualification cannot be made a permanent teacher at primary level without completing the 18 month transition course from secondary teaching to primary teaching; the plans he has to make this course available in County Sligo in view of the teacher staffing difficulties, as at present many teachers are unable to attend this course as it is only available in County Dublin and County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25375/00]