Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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69. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty experienced by newly qualified teachers who, because of the oversupply of teachers, are unable to gain the diploma within the requisite three years (details supplied); the strategy that is in place to address this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38905/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The issue of teacher supply is kept under review by my Department. I acknowledge that the various budget measures that have taken place in recent years can limit the employment opportunities for newly qualified teachers. However, there are limits to the number of teaching posts that we can afford to fund as a country.

A number of measures have been taken to alleviate difficulties for new teachers. My Department has directed managerial authorities of schools to recruit unemployed teachers ahead of retired ones, in an effort to ease the difficulties for those who cannot find work in the profession. In addition, the JobBridge National Internship Scheme can provide newly qualified teachers with opportunities to gain experience and to undertake the necessary teaching duties to complete the process of probation.

The Teaching Council is the body with statutory responsibility for the procedures and criteria for the probation of teachers including periods of probation. In recent years, the minimum service requirement for probation purposes has been decreased from 170 days to 100 days. A newly qualified teacher who may not be able to complete the probationary requirements within the period specified by the Teaching Council may apply to the Council for an extension to the period allowed.