Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 480: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of male students who sat the leaving certificate for each year for the past 10 years; the number of male students who sat the higher level paper in Irish for each of the years in question; the number of those who achieved the qualifying grade for entry into primary teacher training; the number from each of those years who took up this option; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16049/06]

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

My Department specifies the minimum academic requirements for entry to primary teacher training courses provided in the Colleges of Education. As part of these requirements, all candidates, including school leavers, mature students and university graduates, must have a minimum of a Grade C in Higher Level in Irish in the Leaving Certificate, or an approved equivalent. This requirement embodies both the written and oral element of a student's proficiency in Irish. My Department considers the Grade C in Higher Level in Irish in the Leaving Certificate to be the minimum standard in Irish necessary for students entering a teacher training course which will equip them to teach Irish to pupils at all levels in primary schools.

The number of male students who sat the leaving Certificate in each of the last 10 years, the number of students who took the Leaving Certificate examination in Higher Level Irish for each of the past 10 years and the number of these students who achieved at least a Grade C at Higher Level are set out in the table.

In relation to the Deputy's request for information regarding the number of male students who selected primary teacher training on their Central Applications Office (CAO) forms, which, I am aware was sought by the Deputy in a recent Parliamentary Question, I have asked that the CAO expedite the response. As soon as the details, are available my officials will forward them directly to the Deputy.