Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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65. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the shortage teachers training to teach STEM subjects and the difficulties in encouraging qualified graduates to pursue a career in teaching these subjects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51810/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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In 2016/17 and in 2017/18, I provided for the recruitment of in the region of 3,000 teachers at post-primary level.  All of the 2016-2017 posts have been successfully filled and the process for filling the additional posts in the current year is almost complete. We are successfully filling the posts that we are making available.

As the Deputy knows, last week I launched a STEM Policy Statement and Implementation Plan, which aims to make Ireland the best in Europe in STEM by 2026. This Policy Statement focusses on the many strengths in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education in Ireland while providing a roadmap to address the areas for development.

Some schools have reported shortages in recruiting teachers in specific subjects at post primary level, including in STEM. The reasons for this are complex. Part of the reason is due to an imbalance in the availability of teachers in certain subjects – for example a large proportion of teachers training as Geography teachers and a small proportion choosing to train in subjects such as Physics.

As part of the implementation of the STEM Strategy I am determined to deliver increased teacher supply in key priority areas.  My officials are gathering and analysing baseline data.  We are also assessing specific policy initiatives which can accelerate supply in critical areas.  This would include measures to deliver a higher proportion of those entering initial teacher education at undergraduate or masters level in the priority areas; to upgrade the skills of existing teachers; to identify possible sources of qualified persons who are not now teaching.