David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the total number of primary teachers; the number of males and females; the age profile in ten year intervals with reference to males and females; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9718/04]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested by the Deputy is set out as follows:

I am concerned about the position of imbalance between male and female applicants for the primary teaching profession. My Department commissioned a research study on the issue of take-up of primary teacher training by males and females. The report on the study, which was completed in 2002, showed that the pool of males with the necessary qualifications is smaller than the equivalent pool of females. In addition, many third level course choices seemed to be gender stereotyped and significantly more girls were attracted to teaching of all kinds. The authors concluded that it may be difficult for any society to bring about an early reversal of the feminisation trends in teaching.

Arrangements are being made for the establishment of the Teaching Council, which will provide an important and influential forum for presenting the views of the profession on all aspects of the teaching career from initial recruitment to in-career professional development. The responsibilities of teachers in promoting teaching as a profession and in recruiting the next generation of teachers form an important role for the Teaching Council.

Any proposal to attract more males to the primary teaching profession must take account of the requirements of current equality legislation.