Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 953: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science the number of students enrolled in State funded primary school teacher training institutes for the 2009/2010 term; the number of students that State moneys provide for in each of the State funded institutions for the 2009/2010 term; the measures in place to ensure that student numbers do not exceed the State funding requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15336/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department approves the annual intake of students to the initial teacher education programmes in the Colleges of Education. The numbers approved for the intake to the Bachelor of Education course commencing in 2009 was 1000. In addition, 200 places were approved on the 18 month post-graduate course commencing in February 2010. Depending on the College of Education there are various mechanisms for funding the programmes, for example via core budget, tuition fees and capitation grants.

The latest data available from the Colleges indicates that c.3200 students are currently enrolled over the 3 years of the B.Ed and 217 in the 2010 cohort of post-graduate students. Some fluctuation against approved numbers is unavoidable due to factors such as appeals to Leaving Certificate results, candidates presenting with equal points, attrition, students repeating a year or returning after taking a year out and so on.