Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 103: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she intends to increase the number of places available for persons applying for a higher diploma in education course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12748/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department is responsible for teacher education and development, with particular regard to initial teacher education covering the colleges of education and the education departments in the universities and colleges. Applications for the higher diploma in education are made through the Higher Diploma in Education — National University of Ireland — Applications Centre, known as the HDEAC, which was established in 1998.

The higher diploma in education course is offered by the education departments of Trinity College Dublin and the four universities of the National University of Ireland at Cork, Dublin, Galway and Maynooth. The current quota for admissions for the 2005-06 programmes is 1,000 and I have no plans to increase this number at present. My Department and the HEA continue to review the supply and demand of second level teachers on an ongoing basis.