Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I thank the Cathaoirleach. Will the three teacher training colleges, St. Patrick's College, Marino College and Mary Immaculate College, be offering places on postgraduate courses this year? Normally, places would be advertised at this time and the colleges would be receiving many queries. Usually, they offer 400 places nationally with students starting the postgraduate course in primary education from February. The Minister for Education and Science must bear in mind that there were 78,000 births last year and that many teachers are retiring owing to the cuts made in the classroom and their fears about the retirement packages on offer. It may be folly not to offer the places mentioned.

I note that yesterday the National Economic and Social forum launched a useful report on child literacy and social inclusion. Its main recommendation is that literacy should be a national priority from the cradle to the grave. I completely agree and call for a debate on the issue in the House.