Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 271: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his plans to support and recognise the nominational training colleges for primary teachers; his views on whether the training colleges are providing an adequate number of trained primary teachers; his further plans to continue to recognise courses which are completed for the training of teachers on an on-line basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40997/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy is aware, five State funded Colleges of Education offer the Bachelor of Education for primary teaching. Hibernia College, a private on-line college, and four of the State funded Colleges of Education also offer a post graduate conversion course. These qualifications have been fully recognised by my Department for teaching in the primary sector.

The recognition of teacher qualifications is now a matter for the Teaching Council, the body with responsibility for establishing and maintaining standards in the teaching profession. The Teaching Council's Registration Regulations, which I recently approved, continue to recognise these qualifications for registration as a teacher in the primary sector.

The issue of supply of qualified primary teachers is under constant review within my Department and is currently being considered in the context of likely demands in the system in the coming years and the resources available. In the short term, taking into account many factors such as demographics, the level of retirements, the school staffing schedule, and so on, it is considered that there is an adequate supply of trained teachers from the colleges to meet the current demand.