asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the difficulty in obtaining teachers for rural areas when vacancies occur; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am aware that managers generally are finding it difficult to obtain the services of trained teachers when vacancies occur. I am considering what measures are necessary to increase the supply of qualified teachers and to ensure that an adequate number of such teachers will be available for the schools. With a view to the alleviation of immediate difficulties I have already arranged as a temporary measure that in certain circumstances principal, assistant and lay assistant teachers reaching retirement age may be retained in the service for a further year.