Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 352: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of postgraduate teaching places that will be removed due to the €3 million cut announced in budget 2010; the number of places there were in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47296/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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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 post graduate course was introduced as a response to a shortage in the supply of primary teachers. It was first provided in the 1995/96 academic year and has been repeated almost each year since then. The course has not as yet been incorporated as a permanent feature of primary teacher training. The decision to provide further courses is generally made on an annual basis depending on the teacher supply situation. Intake to the two most recent such courses was at a record high of 490 students.

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. The number of places on both the Bachelor of Education and Post Graduate courses in recent years are detailed in the table. Annual Intake to Colleges of Education

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the changes made in budget 2010 regarding sick leave and substitution arrangements in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47297/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The supply teacher scheme at primary level will cease from the start of the 2010/11 school year. Normal substitution arrangements which apply to primary schools generally to cover teacher absences will be used to cover substitution in those schools that participated in the scheme. From the start of the 2010/11 school year, the maximum number of uncertified sick leave days allowed in the school year for teachers in primary, secondary and community and comprehensive schools will be reduced to seven days. This is the same number of days available for teachers in vocational schools and community colleges.