Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 10: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a comprehensive survey will be undertaken of teachers at second level who have the appropriate qualifications for teaching maths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25223/11]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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The Teaching Council recently carried out a survey of post-primary schools to ascertain the qualifications of maths teachers. The results of the survey show that a significant majority of teachers - 68% - teaching maths in 258 schools are fully qualified to do so, that 29% have pursued some studies in maths and that only 2% have not obtained third level qualifications or pursued studies in maths. The Teaching Council has asked schools which have not completed the earlier survey to do so by 26 September.

Providing for high quality teaching and learning of mathematics is of key strategic importance to the State. As part of the Government's overall strategy to improve the teaching and learning of maths in schools, my Department is making arrangements for the provision of a new training programme for maths teachers. This will provide unqualified maths teachers with the opportunity to upskill their knowledge of mathematics and study the strategies best suited to the new Project Maths syllabuses.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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When the results of the survey become available, will the Minister of State be in a position to ensure schools will no longer be able to hire unqualified maths teachers? Will the programme of upskilling and the opportunity to gain additional qualifications be mandatory for maths teachers who do not, per se, possess a degree in the subject?

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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To give the Deputy a straight answer, I am not in a position to do this. As he is well aware, the boards of management of schools have autonomy in respect of who they hire and fire. There is an issue of governance in that regard. I ask the Deputy to have faith in the process being undertaken. We must obtain the results of the survey and analyse them. As announced on 12 September, a programme that will allow for continuing education and continuing professional development, CPD, for unqualified maths teachers is to be rolled out. The contract in this regard is due to go to tender shortly. I would be cautious with regard to the Department exercising control over decisions made by individual schools. Again, I ask the Deputy to have faith. We will analyse the results of the survey and proceed cautiously. There must be an outcome which ensures teachers are properly qualified and that students obtain good results in their examinations. In that context, we must seek to ensure there is a deeper engagement in this matter. We will not turn the ship around overnight; it is going to take some time to do this.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I accept what the Minister of State said. Does he have faith in this hastily arranged survey undertaken by the Teaching Council? I understand only 30% of schools actually responded to the survey. Does the Minister of State accept evidence from that number of schools as a good snapshot of the overall position? Is it correct that when Project Maths was launched, funding was provided in order that maths teachers might avail of the programmes to which the Minister of State referred? What was the level of take-up in this regard?

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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On a separate issue, concerns have been expressed by many gaelscoileanna about the competency of certain individuals to teach certain subjects through Irish. It is possible that maths is one of these subjects. Will it be possible to ascertain from the survey whether there is such a lack of competency? Particular concerns have been expressed by gaelscoileanna about teachers who are entering the system and who may not have the requisite competency in teaching certain subjects through Irish.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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This question relates to maths.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Yes, but the matter to which I refer may be picked up on in the survey.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Is the Deputy referring to the teaching of maths?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is a separate question.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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It relates to the survey. Is it possible that the survey may reveal that there are difficulties in certain subjects being taught through Irish?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are running out of time.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I ask that the Deputy table a separate parliamentary question on that matter. This question relates to the teaching of maths.

With regard to Deputy Smith's question, there are no exact figures for the take-up of CPD. However, I will endeavour to come back to him at a later date with additional information on the matter. If he is asking whether I am satisfied with the rate of reply to the survey, the straight answer is that I am not. The schools have until 26 September to provide responses to it. I ask the Deputy to have some forbearance and allow us to assess the position at that point. The Department and the Minister, Deputy Quinn, are extremely conscious of the fact that we must grapple with this issue. We must do so on the basis that we will be provided with a true picture of the actual scenario. In that context, the agencies and stakeholders involved have been given a clear signal to the effect that we require sound data. We cannot make proper policy decisions unless such data which must be both qualitative and quantitative are forthcoming. I hope the Deputy will accept my comments on this matter in good faith.