Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I raised the matter of class sizes with the Leader last week before the story broke in the media because I was suspicious that a timeframe or schedule had not been provided. I requested that the Minister come before the House to explain the situation because this matter is of interest to Members on both sides. There are many variables with which we must deal at this stage. The reality is that parents who looked forward to their children being in smaller classes, teachers who welcomed the commitment and children who could benefit from it, are all losing out.

As I stated in the House last week, according to the Central Statistics Office there are now nearly 400,000 pupils in classes of over 20. The Minister maintains there are not enough teachers to implement her plans. There are enough teachers, as clearly evident from the INTO figures. The Minister has stated that one of the reasons there are not enough teachers arises from her plan to put more teachers into the disadvantaged and special needs sectors, which I acknowledge would be welcome. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister to the House to outline the supply of and demand for teachers over the next three or four years; her schedule for the implementation of the plan to bring classes to below 20 over the next three or four years; and the capacity to train teachers through the colleges of education, through Hibernia College and also through postgraduate courses. Will the Minister inform the House about conversion courses? Many post-primary teachers without work are interested in converting to primary teaching and specific courses should be made available to them.

These issues about which we have all received inquiries have been raised with me by Members from all sides of the House over the past year. I have a constituent who has graduated and wants to do a postgraduate course but there is not enough space in Irish colleges because the Government will not support sufficient graduate places. Young Irish men and women are training in the UK and in Northern Ireland. It is crucial we address this issue.