Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has examined research by a person (details supplied) in Trinity College carried out for her Department which found that males are deterred from applying for primary teaching for a number of reasons including fear of accusations of abuse, the level of Irish required and the status of the job; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40131/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Since the 1970s there has been a significant and continuous decline in the number of males entering the teaching profession, particularly at primary level. The Primary Education Committee was established in October, 2003 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.

During the course of its work, the Committee drew on the professional insight of key experts in the area as well as drawing on a number of relevant research studies. As part of this process, the Committee commissioned the research on male and female teachers' attitudes to primary teaching to which the deputy refers. In developing its recommendations, this research was given full consideration by the Committee.

In November, 2005 I launched the final report of the Primary Education Committee, "Males into Primary Teaching". One of the key recommendations in the Committee's report is that a promotion campaign, which would encourage more males to enter primary teaching, should be undertaken. This campaign commenced in January, 2006 and is ongoing. All other recommendations contained in the report have also received consideration within my Department, and the level of males entering primary teaching will continue to be closely monitored.