Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1764: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the arrangements she has made to make it more attractive for men to participate in primary teaching; the encouragement programmes and incentives that she will provide in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3120/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The decreasing numbers of males entering the teaching profession 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.

I genuinely believe that teaching is an attractive profession for both men and women. Teaching is fulfilling work which makes a huge social contribution.

This Government wants to attract and reward the best teachers. In addition to increasing teachers' salaries, we have also undertaken other initiatives to enhance the status of the profession. Not least of these is the establishment of the Teaching Council as a professional regulatory body.

In November, 2005 I launched 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. The Report draws on the professional insight of key experts in this area as well as drawing on a number of relevant research studies.

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. This promotion campaign commenced on 24 January, 2006 and is currently ongoing. The campaign focuses on a number of key target audiences, including students, parents, teachers and guidance counsellors.

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.