Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 222 of 31 January 2012 and 87 of 9 February 2012, if he will clarify that the numbers quoted refer to primary school teachers only; the number of those 2,132 teachers currently carrying out their probationary period that have come directly from college; the number who had a gap in time between finishing college and beginning their probationary period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8982/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that the numbers quoted on the previous parliamentary questions does refer to primary school teachers only.

The vast majority of primary school teachers register with the Teaching Council as soon as they have completed their college course. As soon as they gain employment in schools for the required period (a minimum of 50 consecutive days), they complete a registration form for probation. The registration form for probation does not require teachers to state the year of completion of their college course and therefore records for the number of teachers who leave a gap between finishing college and beginning their probation period are not available.