Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of males entering primary level teaching for the most recent year for which statistics are available; the number entering primary level teaching; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32706/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In the current school year, of the 1,749 permanent and temporary qualified teachers appointed for the first time at primary level, 189 were male.

I am aware of the decreasing numbers of males entering the teaching profession, and it is an issue that is of concern to me. It is important to attract more men into teaching for a number of reasons, not least of which is the positive role models that teachers provide in children's lives and the desirability of having both male and female role models in our schools.

I have now received the report of the primary education committee, Males into Primary Teaching. The primary education committee was established in order to examine a range of issues in relation to males entering primary teaching, and to make recommendations on short-term and long-term strategies to increase the numbers in this regard.

One of the key recommendations in the committee's report is that a co-ordinated promotion campaign, which would encourage boys as well as girls to enter primary teaching, should be undertaken. Officials in my Department are examining how such a promotion campaign can be run to maximum effect.

All other recommendations contained in the report are also currently receiving active consideration.