Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 June 2010
340 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans to increase the number of full-time, postgraduate teacher training places in teacher training colleges for intake in 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24233/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe level of student intake to the Colleges of Education is determined annually by my Department and it takes account of the supply of, and demand for, primary teachers. The post graduate primary teacher education course for holders of suitable university degrees is provided in four of the Colleges of Education and was introduced as a response to a shortage in the supply of primary teachers. It was first provided in the 1995/96 academic year and has been repeated almost each year since then.
The course has not as yet been incorporated as a permanent feature of primary teacher training. The decision to provide further courses is generally made on an annual basis depending on the teacher supply situation. Intake to the courses which commenced in 2008 and 2009 was at a record high of 490 students. 200 places were approved for the course which commenced in February 2010.
The decision on whether to run the course in 2011 will not be taken until later in the year when my Department will consider the factors affecting supply and demand in the light of available resources.
