Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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240. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties many trainee teachers are undergoing in their attempts to gain probationary teaching hours, which are compulsory part of their training upon completion of their higher diploma; if this matter could be looked into to enable trainee teachers access the mandatory training hours requirement by the Teaching Council. [39351/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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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.