Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 513: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary school teachers in terms of whole-time equivalents employed prior to the introduction of the moratorium; the estimated number currently employed; the target point at which point the moratorium will end; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20045/10]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 514: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of secondary school teachers in terms of whole-time equivalents employed prior to the introduction of the moratorium; the estimated number currently employed; the target point at which point the moratorium will end; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20046/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 514 and 513 together.

Public service pay is a huge element of public expenditure and the total bill is determined by the number of public servants and the pay rates payable to them. The moratorium which was introduced in March 2009 is a key control measure aimed at reducing the number of public servants. The duration of the moratorium will be a matter for Government to decide in the context of budgetary savings to be achieved. In contrast to what is happening in other areas of the public service, the Government has already tapered application of the moratorium to schools by providing for a growth in teacher numbers and allowing from the outset the automatic filling of principal and deputy principal posts of responsibility.

The public sector numbers for 31 March 2009 for primary teachers was 31,134 and for post-primary teachers was 28,262. The public sector numbers for 31 March 2010 for primary teachers was 31,860 and for post-primary teachers was 27,860. The introduction in September 2009 of the part-time payroll for primary teachers facilitated the inclusion of those part-time teachers in public sector numbers from that date onwards.