Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the regulation of teacher training here with specific reference to the oversupply of qualified teachers (details supplied) in the Irish market. [12085/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Teaching Council is responsible for the regulation of the teaching profession in the State in relation to, inter alia, the recognition and registration of teachers, and the accreditation of programmes of initial teacher education.

As the Deputy may be aware, the following colleges are currently recognised for the provision of initial teacher education for primary teachers in the State: -St. Patrick's College of Education, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 -Mary Immaculate College, South Circular Road, Limerick -Colaiste Mhuire, Marino Institute of Education, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9 -Froebel College of Education, Sion Hill, Blackrock , Co Dublin -Hibernia College, Clare Street, Dublin 2.

The level of student intake to the state-funded Colleges of Education is determined annually by my Department and it takes account of the supply of, and demand for, primary teachers. The level of intake to these Colleges has decreased in recent years in light of available resources and factors impacting on demand.

The Graduate Diploma in Primary Education offered by Hibernia College has been recognised for the purpose of qualification as a primary teacher for almost 10 years. As Hibernia College is a privately-owned institution providing a privately-run course, neither my Department, nor any other State body, has a role in regulating the number of students enrolled.