Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1147: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers who began probation during the 2008/2009 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33372/09]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1148: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary school teachers who successfully completed the probationary process during the 2008/2009 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33373/09]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1149: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of years teaching experience of each teacher who successfully completed the probationary process during the 2008/2009 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33374/09]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1150: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers who had their probationary process deferred during the 2008/2009 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33375/09]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1151: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers who have to date applied to undertake the probationary process in the 2009/2010 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33376/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1147 to 1151, inclusive, together.

With regard to the 2008/2009 academic year, 2,469 applications were accepted for probation. Of that number, 2,324 have successfully completed the required professional element and my Department is currently in the process of checking that the service requirement has been fulfilled. 58 teachers deferred their probation for reasons such as maternity leave, sick leave or change of employment.

Schools were advised in June of the arrangements for probation in the current school year. A series of dates were nominated for submission of applications. The closing date for Round 1 applications was 30th June 2009. Round 2 closed on 11th September. Applications for Round 3 are to be submitted by 23rd October, and 21st December for Round 4. To date, 1,359 applications have been accepted for 2009/2010, from the first two rounds.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of years service of each teacher who completed the probationary process during the 2008/2009 academic year would involve an inordinate amount of administrative time to compile as it is not readily available within my Department.