Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 722: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of males entering primary level teaching; the numbers entering primary teaching; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28091/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In the current school year, of the 1749 permanent and temporary qualified teachers appointed for the first time at primary level, 189 are 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. I believe that 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. During the current school year I launched a promotional campaign aimed at encouraging more men to consider primary teaching as a career choice. Studies have shown that decreasing numbers of men are applying to become primary school teachers, both in Ireland and across the developed world. The first phase of the Men As Teachers and Educators campaign has seen newspaper and radio advertisements highlighting the key attributes and strengths of primary school teachers. The campaign is seeking to remind parents, students, teachers, guidance counsellors and all those thinking about career options about the valuable and rewarding work undertaken each day in our primary schools. I hope this campaign will make young men take a look at the valuable contribution they can make through a career as a primary school teacher.