Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 5: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of mathematics teachers at post-primary level who do not have mathematics as a subject in their degree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10997/10]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is estimated that over 65% of those teaching mathematics have mathematics as a major qualification in their degree. This figure is deduced by applying the number of mathematics teachers registered with the Teaching Council in February 2010, that is, 4,005, to the estimated number of mathematics teachers in second level schools, which is 5,900. Once recruited into a school, the deployment of a teacher to subjects and teaching duties is a matter for decision by the school authorities.

I am aware of the recent report prepared by the University of Limerick on out-of-field teaching in mathematics which showed that in a study of 51 schools, 48% of teachers in the study did not have a major teaching qualification in mathematics. All but one were fully qualified as teachers. Those not qualified in mathematics held science, commerce, business or concurrent teacher education degrees.

The study showed that 30% of students in the 51 schools were taught by a teacher without a major qualification in mathematics. There were no teachers without a mathematics qualification teaching at higher level in the leaving certificate classes, and only 4.5% and 3% respectively taught at higher level in the second and third years of junior cycle. The study did not undertake any analysis of the teaching approaches used by the respondents or associate the data in any way with student performance.

The deployment of teachers to subjects which are not part of their major qualification is also a feature of education systems in other jurisdictions.

Some €5 million is being invested in professional development for mathematics teachers in 2010, building on a €3 million investment in 2009, as part of the implementation of Project Maths in second level schools. The programme of professional development for teachers will continue to at least 2013. Up-skilling teachers through postgraduate programmes will form a major element of the implementation of Project Maths and funds for intensive programmes have been provided in 2010 to begin this process. A particular target for intensive courses will be those teaching mathematics who do not hold a major qualification in the subject.

In addition to this, the Teaching Council will be examining the recent research report on the out-of-field teaching of mathematics and will work with the other educational interest groups in developing appropriate responses to the issues raised.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Whether one accepts the independent survey's figure of 48% or the Teaching Council's figure of 35%, is the Minister of State at all concerned at the fact that such a large cohort of mathematics teachers in secondary schools do not have mathematics as part of their primary degree?

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Of course I am. That is why Project Maths is dedicated to targeting the people who do not have a major qualification in mathematics and to retraining and qualifying them in a more appropriate manner.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Can the Minister of State confirm that the number of continual professional development posts in his Department fell from 250 to 150 this year?

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am not aware of that.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Is the Minister of State confirming that the 250 places on continual professional development courses will remain next year?

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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That will be subject to the Estimates.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Can the Minister of State repeat that?

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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It will be a matter for the Estimates.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I thought Eugene Lambert was dead.

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Does Deputy Hayes wish to ask a question?

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Yes, I do.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Deputies must allow the Chair to call speakers. Otherwise the Chair will have no function. I call Deputy Hayes.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The jobs are either there or they are not. The Minister of State told the House there are no redundancies. Now he says they are subject to the allocation for next year. We have the allocation for this year. Are the teachers to be replaced next September?

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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We are adding an extra 350 teachers this year.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Houston, we have a problem here. The argument made by the Minister of State is that, through Project Maths, he will roll out a new scheme. It is, effectively, a curriculum change and does not help teachers who do not have mathematics in their primary degree.

Is the Minister of State confirming that there will be no job losses in the continual professional development unit of his Department this year?

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I repeat that €5 million is being spent on in-service training. Deputy Hayes is wrong in assuming the training will not be targeted at people who do not have a qualification in mathematics. That is the whole purpose of Project Maths.

I come at this from two perspectives. I also have responsibility for science, technology and innovation.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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That is the problem.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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There is not much evidence of that.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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There is not much evidence of it.

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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The efforts being made in this area are very much welcomed and should be welcomed. Those involved in industry inward investment have expressed concern at the quality of mathematics teaching and have stressed the importance of upgrading teaching skills, in the interest of the smart economy. Money is being allocated for that.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Now I know why the Minister gave the Minister of State, Deputy Lenihan, this question.