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

Question 210: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will confirm that she informed the INTO national congress in Cork in 2007 that she will train 4,000 primary teachers in the next three years; the training schedule for each training college to meet this requirement; the cost involved; the proposed building programme to be provided to meet the demand for teaching space inside the three years involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15422/07]

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

At the INTO annual conference I referred to the fact that the Taoiseach, in his Ard Fheis address, committed that, back in Government, we will put 4,000 more primary teachers in place over the next five years.

I also explained to the INTO, approximately half of these teachers will be needed to respond to increases in the number of pupils over the next five years, while the remainder would be required to reduce the staffing schedule. In recent years a significant number of additional teachers have been allocated to primary schools and this has been factored in to training needs and capital requirements.

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

Question 211: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to train primary teachers for the years 2007/2008, 2008/2009, 2010/2011, 2011/2012 and 2012/2013; the overall number to be trained by 2013 in view of the fact that 4,000 are to be trained by 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15423/07]

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

The level of student intake to the Colleges of Education is determined annually by my Department and it takes account of the supply of, and demand for, primary teachers.

The number of students expected to graduate from the 2006/2007 academic year, from the Colleges of Education are as follows:

In addition to the above it is estimated that there will be in the region of 500 graduates from the Hibernia College.

The intake into the Colleges of Education in future years will continue to be kept under review by my Department to ensure that there is an adequate supply of teachers.