Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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202. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons expecting to graduate as secondary school teachers; the subjects in which they will be qualified to teach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22205/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The numbers of graduates from initial teacher education (ITE) programmes have remained broadly constant over the last number of years. In 2018 my Department expects approximately 1,500 graduates from post primary ITE programmes, similar to 2017. A breakdown of the subject specialisms of the 2018 graduates is not available, but I am attaching for the Deputy's information a breakdown of the subject specialisms of the 2017 graduate cohort. It is anticipated that the figures for the 2018 cohort will be broadly similar.

The Deputy will be aware that I convened the first meeting of the Teacher Supply Steering Group, which is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, on 26th March 2018. The Group met again last month.

The Steering Group is considering the issues that impact on teacher supply, including: initial teacher education policy, provision, funding and support; policies and arrangements for schools and teachers that impact on teacher mobility/supply; and promotion of the teaching profession. The Group will also consider data requirements to support teacher supply planning and in that regard a working group is being convened to consider the key factors that impact upon the demand for and supply of teachers and to identify the data sets required to analyse each of these factors.

The Steering Group will oversee a programme of actions according to strict timelines and clear deliverables to meet important needs. In undertaking its task, the Steering Group will be cognisant of the requirement that all persons wishing to teach in recognised schools must meet the professional registration standards and criteria set by the Teaching Council, which is the professional regulatory body for the teaching profession.

Post Primary Initial Teacher Education: Subject specialisms of graduates 2017