Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 386: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of places for postgraduate conversion courses that are available in teacher training colleges; the number of places that have been closed arising from decisions taken in Budget 2010; the estimated savings that will accrue through this cutback; her views on reversing this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18876/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South 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 primary teacher education course for holders of suitable university degrees is provided in four of the Colleges of Education and 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 courses which commenced in 2008 and 2009 was at a record high of 490 students. 200 places were approved for the course which commenced in February 2010 and reductions of the order of €3m have been made on the relevant subheads of the Department's Vote in 2010.

The decision on whether to run the course in 2011 will not be taken until later in the year when my Department will consider the factors affecting supply and demand in the light of available resources.