Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 404: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has satisfied herself that there are adequate places provided for young persons, who wish to apply for a higher diploma in education; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some students who qualified almost three years ago have still not secured a place to undertake the higher diploma in education in view of the fact that such students have obtained considerable experience in teaching hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27382/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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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 HDEAC is agent for, and acts on behalf of, the universities participating in the application system and the application regulations, procedures and timetable are agreed annually by these universities. Applicants are awarded points on the basis on performance in their primary degree, any additional relevant academic qualifications and teaching experience. Applications are made to the HDEAC through one common application form. In the case of Trinity College, applicants continue to apply directly to the university and I understand that places on the higher diploma in education course are awarded on the basis of academic qualifications and the results of a competitive interview process.

The current quota for admissions for the 2005-2006 programmes is 1,000 and I have no plans to increase this number at present. My Department and the HEA are continuing to review the supply and demand of second level teachers on an ongoing basis. Officials in my Department maintain contact with the various education departments in regard to the diploma and other postgraduate qualifications for teachers at primary and second levels and I am ensuring that this process continues.

With respect to the type of students that are successful in getting places on the State-funded higher diploma programmes, the Deputy may we aware that I have said that the entry system should be changed to ensure that enough students with a background in all the subjects we require teachers in, but particularly in maths, science and Irish, get places on the higher diploma programme. My Department is working on this with the colleges of education.