Vol. 539 No. 1
418 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will consider setting in motion a process by which those with a H.Dip. qualification can achieve the necessary training so that they can teach on the same salary level as a person with a B.Ed. qualification in a primary school. [18703/01]
423 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he plans to introduce a crash programme to allow those without formal teaching qualifications to qualify for full teaching qualifications; and his views on whether this is one way of keeping a steady supply of both permanent and substitute teachers at primary level. [18708/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 418 and 423 together.
The courses run in the State which allow for appointment to a permanent post in a primary school are the Bachelor of Education degree and the 18-month postgraduate diploma in primary teaching. Both of these courses are run in the colleges of education, which specialise in the training of primary teachers. In the 2000-01 academic year there were some 3,300 students enrolled and pursuing various stages of these programmes.
There are no plans at present to introduce any other courses designed either for persons with no formal teaching qualifications or for persons who possess a H. Dip. However, all aspects of primary teacher training are the subject of ongoing review between my Department and the colleges of education.
On the issue of salary, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that since the beginning of the 2000-01 academic year teachers who hold a degree and the Higher Diploma in Education are paid on the basic scale for trained teachers.
419 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will set up a system of inservice training so that those with a H.Dip. can teach in a primary school; and if his attention has been drawn to the effect this will have on teacher shortages. [18704/01]
The only courses run in the State which allow for appointment to a permanent post in a primary school are the Bachelor of Education degree and the 18 month postgraduate diploma in primary teaching. Both of these courses are run in the colleges of education, which specialise in the training of primary teachers. Persons who possess the H.Dip may apply for admittance to the B. Ed degree programme or the 18 month postgraduate diploma course.
My Department has no plans at present to set up a system of inservice training to enable those with a H.Dip become fully qualified primary teachers. However, all aspects of primary teacher training are the subject of ongoing review between my Department and the colleges of education.
