Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 278: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of physical education teachers employed by her Department; the number of places available at Limerick University for physical education courses; the number of physical education teachers who qualified in each of the past five years; her plans in tandem with the university to increase the number of places; her plans to initiate such courses elsewhere; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5953/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department approves the quota of teachers for individual second level schools and vocational education committees each year. The appointment of teachers to posts within the approved quota is a matter for the authorities of the schools concerned. The information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of physical education teachers employed in second level schools is not readily available within my Department.

I understand from the Higher Education Authority that there has been a significant increase in the number of students enrolled on the bachelor of education in physical education programme in the University of Limerick over the past five years, as indicated by the accompanying table. I further understand that proposals regarding physical education courses are currently being developed in a number of institutions and I have asked to be kept informed of developments.