Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Ceist:133. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers who are qualified to teach Spanish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13443/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 1 April 2015
Ceisteanna (133)
Freagraí scríofa
Teacher allocations to second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. Within schools, the deployment of teachers is a matter for school management. Management authorities of individual schools and Education and Training Boards (ETBs) are responsible for the appointment and deployment of teachers so as to maximise the effective teaching of the curriculum offered by the school. Schools are also responsible for deciding what subjects and programmes to offer and this can vary in accordance with local need. This, in turn, determines the type of teacher competencies/specialisms required at that time.
Data supplied to my Department by the Teaching Council indicate that there are approximately 865 post-primary teachers registered on the basis of qualifications in Spanish. It should be noted that this number would include teachers who are not currently teaching the subject, such as those who are retired, on career breaks, travelling, unemployed, deployed to teach other subjects and so on.