asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the shortage of teachers generally and the increasing need for extra teachers, he is prepared to give credit for experience in teaching in any country outside the State.

The official information available to me does not disclose that there is a shortage of teachers generally. In fact I am satisfied that under the present arrangements for supplying teachers adequate numbers will be available. Credit for teaching service abroad should, therefore, be related to factors other than meeting a shortage. The pros and cons of these factors are still very much open to debate.

Would the Minister say if there is a shortage of trained teachers in the output from the training colleges? Could the Minister say if posts are being filled by untrained personnel?

My information is that there is an adequate number of teachers available.

Surely the Minister must be aware there is a shortage of science and other such teachers in the secondary branch?

This is a subject on which it is difficult to answer yes or no. In the national schools we are constantly improving the pupil-teacher-ratio, and, while we have not that situation solved, it would be unreasonable to say that there is a shortage of teachers to carry out this desirable objective. My information does not indicate that when this new scheme comes into operation next September there will be a crisis in regard to the supply of secondary teachers.

But there is a shortage of secondary teachers.

I do not think there is a general shortage of them or, if it is there, that it is very acute.